Ex Maldives Pres Nasheed takes sanctuary at Indian High Commission
Wednesday February 13, 2013 06:16:19 PM,
IANS
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Male: Former Maldives
president Mohamed Nasheed, who once held a cabinet meeting under
water to highlight global warming, took refuge at the Indian High
Commission here Tuesday after a court issued an arrest order for
his failing to attend a hearing in the illegal detention of a
judge.
"Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I
have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives,"
tweeted Maldivian opposition leader Nasheed, 45.
A large number of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters
gathered on hearing the news, reported sun.mv, an online news
portal in Maldives.
Maldives, an atoll nation, is known for its deep blue seas,
turquoise reefs, white sandy beaches and palm trees. It comprises
1,190 islands - of which about 200 are inhabited - and has a
population of 350,000.
Nasheed entered the Indian High Commission as the Hulhumal court
issued an arrest order for Nasheed to be brought to court after he
failed to attend the scheduled hearing over last year's detention
of Criminal Court chief judge Abdulla Mohamed.
According to some reports, there is a large police presence in the
front of the Indian High Commission as well as the Traders' Hotel
opposite the mission that was cordoned off.
A sense of uncertainty has gripped the Maldives ever since Nasheed
resigned Feb 7 last year followed what he alleged was a coup.
Mohammed Waheed Hassan succeeded him.
Nasheed faced protests over his decision to sack Abdulla Mohamed.
He later claimed that he was forced to quit at gun-point and urged
the international community to help restore "democracy" in the
South Asian archipelago.
Presidential spokesperson Imad Masood told Xinhua that summons
were issued after Nasheed defied a court order to be present in
court and the court in return issued an order to the police to
produce him.
However, Nasheed's political party, the MDP, has strongly
condemned the arrest warrant and reiterated its belief that the
arrest warrant and the charges against him are politically
motivated.
"The MDP calls on the international community to remain vigilant
and immediately intervene to ensure a free and fair trial for
Nasheed," his party said Wednesday.
The MDP added that the second hearing of the case was scheduled
Feb 10 while Nasheed was on a visit to India and was unable to
return to Male due to a medical emergency.
However, Nasheed's lawyers had informed the court in writing, the
party said.
Nasheed hit the world headlines four years ago when he held a
cabinet meeting under water to highlight global warming and the
threat to his atoll nation. He and his ministers were in full
scuba gear as they met for about 30 minutes at a depth of six
metres just north of the capital Male in 2009.
WikiLeaks said Twitter that Nasheed has "done a Julian Assange".
"Former President Nasheed of the Maldives has 'done a Julian
Assange' and taken shelter inside the Indian High Commission in
the Maldives," tweeted WikiLeaks.
Julian Assange sought refuge in Ecuador's embassy in London in
June 2012 in a bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he faces
rape allegations.
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