Maldives crisis: Over 50 defence, police officers detained, claims ex-Prez

Male [Maldives], Feb 27 (ANI): Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed on Tuesday claimed that over 50 Maldives "National Defence Force (MNDF) and Police Officers" have been detained by the loyalists of President Abdulla Yameen.

Nasheed took to Twitter to voice his concern over the alleged arrests and urged for their release, saying, "Yameen loyalists have detained more than 50 MNDF and Police Officers. Some being detained in their barracks incommunicado; while senior SO police held in Dhoonidhoo [an island]. This is worrying. They must be freed."

Yameen loyalists have detained more than 50 MNDF and Police Officers. Some being detained in their barracks incommunicado; while senior SO police held in Dhoonidhoo. This is worrying. They must be freed.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 27, 2018

According to The Maldives Independent, a news website, five Special Ops officers have been arrested from Rasdhoo, an inhabited island of the country. Seven army officers from the Special Protection Group have also been detained since Thursday, the report quoted RaajjeMV, as saying.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Eva Abdulla has urged the release Jumhooree Party (JP)'s Women's League President Waleedha Waleed, who was arrested on Monday night.

"Jumhooree Party Women's League President @DhilooDhilaa arrested from protest last night. The crackdown on our formidable women leaders only highlights @PoliceMv's cowardice.

Free Waleeda!," Eva tweeted.

Waleedha was arrested during the opposition rally, calling the government to obey the Supreme Court ruling on February 1 and to lift the illegal State of Emergency imposed on the country.

Jumhooree Party Women's League President @DhilooDhilaa arrested from protest last night. The crackdown on our formidable women leaders only highlights @PoliceMv's cowardice.

Free Waleeda! pic.twitter.com/S4R7ZwQH4e

— Eva Abdulla ??? (@evattey) February 27, 2018

Maldivian Democratic Party member Abdulla Shahid has also come to the fore and urged President Yameen to "immediately release" the MPs who were arrested from the peaceful Joint Opposition protest on Monday.

"Call on President Yameen to immediately release Hon MP @AblhoMP and Hon MP @MohamedAmeeth , JP Women's League President @DhilooDhilaa and @AdhaalathOffice Youth member @ThoobaR arrested from the peaceful Joint Opposition protest last night," Abdulla Shahid tweeted.

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