Maldives declares state of emergency ahead of rally

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Wednesday invoked draconian emergency laws for the first time in 11 years, heightening a crackdown on dissent, after alleged attempts on his life.

Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon said the declaration of a state of emergency meant that a rally planned by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for Friday was unlikely to be allowed.

"Obviously there is every likelihood that it might not go ahead given the situation," Maumoon told AFP by telephone. "Because of the security (in the congested capital island Male)."

There was no immediate word from the MDP on whether the party would defy the emergency.

However, Maumoon, who is the niece of Yameen and the daughter of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, said the emergency, which gives security forces and police sweeping powers to arrest suspects, was a "precautionary action."

It was necessary because of threats to the president's life, she said, denying that the move was to suppress Friday's planned protest by the opposition.

"President Yameen has declared state of emergency to ensure the safety and security of every citizen," his spokesman Muaz Ali tweeted.

The last time the Maldives imposed a state of emergency was in August 2004 under president Gayoom, the half brother of Yameen, to crack down on pro-democracy protests by the MDP.

Official sources said the latest declaration, initially for a period of 30 days, would lead to the automatic suspension of several constitutional provisions including the right of association and the right of assembly.

Tensions are high in the honeymoon island nation following an explosion aboard the president's speedboat on September 28 and this week's alleged discovery of a remote-controlled bomb near his official residence.

Yameen was unharmed in the boat explosion, although his wife and two others were slightly injured, and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation has said there was no evidence it was caused by a bomb.

But authorities in the Maldives have called it an attempt on his life. On October 24 Yameen arrested his deputy Ahmed Adeeb, accusing him of "high treason" and linking him to the blast.

The state of emergency order fast-tracked the impeachment of Adeeb, who could be sacked within days.

Several ministers, a police chief and key security personnel have also been sacked following the explosion.

The MDP said the emergency order was aimed at cracking down on anti-government activists.

"The discovery of a 'bomb' (on Monday) was the lead up to today's emergency," MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor told AFP.

"Yameen has jailed or threatened every opposition leader, placed criminal charges against 1,700 opposition activists, and is now turning on his own by jailing the vice president.

"For the good of the nation, it is time for Yameen to resign.

Caption: Maldives police patrol the streets of the capital Male

Photo Credit: uk.news.yahoo.com