Former president Mohamed Nasheed seeks refuge in Indian embassy

Former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, has sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male and India has agreed to allow him "spend the night" in the Indian high commission in Male. Outside the building, the police are waiting to give effect to an arrest warrant issued by a court against him. The stand-off is likely to continue for some more time as the high court has rejected Mr Nasheed's request that the arrest warrant issued by the lower court be stayed. As long as the former president is inside the High Commission, the Maldivian police cannot arrest him as it is Indian Territory. The court issued the arrest warrant as he did not turn up for his previously scheduled trial hearing at Hulhumale Magistrate Court on February 10 in the case regarding detention of chief judge Abdulla Mohamed in 2012. The former President was on a visit to India after being granted permission to depart the country by the court. Despite the travel period he was allowed expiring on February 9, Mr Nasheed arrived back in Male only on February 11. Mr Nasheed is charged with abusing his power as president after winning the first free elections in the country in 2008. Mr Nasheed was forced out of power in February last year in what he has described as a coup orchestrated by former ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.