Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Monday declared a 15-day state of emergency, his aide Azima Shukoor announced, deepening the political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation. The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects, and comes amid a tense standoff between the Supreme Court and the government. This is the second time Yameen has declared a state of emergency. On Monday, a minister quit in protest at the government’s defiance of the Supreme Court. The country’s combined opposition urged foreign powers to put pressure on Yameen to yield to the rule of law.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 05, 2018 13:30 UTC