Politics
09:43, 07-Feb-2018
Maldives Supreme Court takes U-turn over dissidents' release
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The Maldivian Supreme Court late on Tuesday revoked its landmark ruling issued last week ordering the release of nine opposition leaders including self-exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed.
A statement from the President's Office said the government welcomed the court's revision.
The new order was signed by the three remaining judges of the Supreme Court.
The fresh move comes after President Abdulla Yameen, in his address to the nation earlier on Tuesday, accused Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed of being bribed to issue last week's court order, in a bid to overthrow the government.
Chief Justice Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, shortly after President Yameen declared the 15-day state of emergency on Monday night.
The two justices were taken into police custody under accusations of graft.
The Maldives has been plunged into a political crisis following Thursday's court ruling.
Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was also arrested shortly after the state of emergency was declared on charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency