Ex-Maldives prez seeks refuge in Indian embassy

Former Maldivies president Mohamed Nasheed today sought refuge in the Indian High Commission (IHC) in Male. He went to IHC immediately after a Maldivian court issued an arrest warrant against him, official sources said in New Delhi.

Nasheed also tweeted, “Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives.”

After this development, senior officials, including national security advisor and foreign secretary, got into a series of meetings to decide on the issue. A statement by the external affairs ministry said it was in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation.

According to Indian officials, the former Maldivian president had sought a meeting with High Commissioner D M Mulay, who flew back to Maldives early morning today from Delhi. “Nasheed has also moved for a stay against the arrest warrant,” an official said.

The warrant was issued after Nasheed did not turn up for his scheduled trial hearing at the Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court on February 10 in a case regarding detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Abdulla Mohamed, in January 2012.

Meanwhile, anti-riot police have surrounded the Indian mission and set up barricades around the area. But, Maldivian President Mohammed Waheed’s official spokesperson said the forces would not enter the premises.