Ex-Maldivian President condemns detention of MDP VP

Male [Maldives], Feb 21 (ANI): Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Wednesday condemned the detention of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Vice President Mohamed Shifaz and branded it as "illegal."

"Strongly condemn continued arbitrary detention of Maldivian Democratic Party MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz by President Yameen's regime. This is illegal and he must be released immediately," tweeted Nasheed.

The Maldives is facing political unrest since President Yameen imposed emergency after refusing to implement a Supreme Court order of freeing imprisoned opposition leaders.

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Qayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, and Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed were arrested under the state of emergency powers.

Over the past two weeks, three MPs, Mohamed Shifaz, the Vice President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the council members of the MDP, family members of the opposition leaders and a number of opposition activists have been detained.

The joint opposition demanded that President Yameen should immediately ask the military to move from the parliament and release the detainees so that the parliament can function freely and democratically. The political unrest in the country deepened further when the police used force to crack down on Maldivian opposition leaders, who continued to hold anti-government protests. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI