China calls for dialogue to end Maldivian political crisis

Beijing [China], Feb 6 (ANI): China on Tuesday called for a dialogue to end the ongoing political crisis in the Maldives and to ensure social and political stability.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Geng Shuang said in a statement, "China supports all parties in the Maldives to resolve the ongoing political turmoil through dialogue. Beijing is watching the developments in the Maldives closely."

"We hope relevant parties can properly resolve the differences through dialogue and consultation and restore normal order as soon as possible and maintain national and social stability," he added.

Former President of Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed and Judicial administrator Hassan Saeed were arrested by security forces, just hours after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the country on Monday.

The arrests indicate that the crackdown on the opposition has intensified. The country's National Defence Force also stormed inside the Supreme Court (SC) premises in Male on Tuesday.

The United States has also expressed its support to the people of the Maldives and said the government must respect the law and democratic values.

The Maldivian capital remained tense as opposition leaders across the Maldives were being rounded up and placed under detention as Yameen, who has been refusing to obey SC's orders, directing him to release nine prominent leaders from prison, has given sweeping powers to security forces.

Last week, the Maldivian Supreme Court acquitted former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, former Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and ordered the reinstatement of the 12 other parliamentary members.

The Maldives has been in a state of turmoil since 2015 when Nasheed, the first democratically elected president of the country, was arrested on "terrorism" charges, relating to the arrest of a judge during his tenure. (ANI)