A Maldives court issued an arrest warrant on Thursday after former President Maohamed Nasheed, one day after his supporters rampaged in the capital and his claim of being ousted by a coup left unclear the stability of the fledging democracy. Police spokesman Abdul Mannan Yusuf refused to disclose the grounds for the criminal court’s warrant, or say when Nasheed – who is living at his Male home, surrounded by supporters – would be arrested.
Later, police commissioner Abdullah Riaz said it was not clear if the warrant was constitutional. He declined to provide details but said the warrant’s legality was still being examined. With Nasheed finding himself in the midst of a turmoil, his family fled to Sri Lanka. Nasheed’s wife Laila Ali arrived in Colombo on Wednesday night, reported the Sunday leader.
She spoke to president Mahinda Rajapaksa over telephone after her arrival. Rajapaksa then telephoned new Maldivian president Mohamed Waheed and urged him to ensure the safety of Nasheed. “The home minister has pledged (I will be) the firmer president to spend all my life in jail,” said Nasheed, who was relaxed and smiling and showed no signs of his reported beating on Wednesday.