Maldives president declares state of emergency

The president of the Maldives has declared a state of emergency that sharply curtails citizens’ rights for 30 days.

The move comes after an explosion on his speedboat and the discoveries of a homemade bomb near his residence and a weapons cache.

Attorney general Mohamed Anil said president Yameen Abdul Gayoom made the decision to safeguard public safety.

“The military and police found weapons and an explosive from two locations in their operations. Because these would be a threat to the public and the nation, the National Security Council has advised to take immediate steps to protect the people of Maldives,” Mr Anil said.

Under the state of emergency, the military and police are able to enter and search homes without warrants and can make arrests virtually at will. Citizens are forbidden to hold protests, strike, or travel between the country’s many islands.

Maldives declares state of emergency: https://t.co/ZEInH1whPr pic.twitter.com/bQzaIf7RbE

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 4, 2015

The declaration effectively thwarts plans by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party to hold a mass rally tomorrow demanding the release of its jailed leader, former president Mohamed Nasheed.

It is customary for people to travel from outer islands to participate in protests in the capital, Male.

Opposition spokesman Hamid Abdul Gaffoor said the state of emergency was politically motivated, and the party would meet to decide whether to go ahead with the protest.

Maldives has been tense since a September 28 explosion on the president’s speedboat and a subsequent series of arrests of people, including vice president Ahmed Adeeb, on suspicion of involvement in the explosion.

Mr Gayoom was unhurt by the blast, which the government called an assassination attempt.

The US FBI, which investigated the explosion, said it found no evidence that it was caused by a bomb.

The military said it found a homemade bomb in a parked vehicle close to the president’s official residence.

Days earlier, an arms cache was found on an island being developed as a tourist resort.

Maldives, best known for luxury island resorts and beaches, has had a difficult transition to democracy since holding its first multi-party election in 2008, which ended 30 years of autocratic rule by Mr Gayoom’s half-brother.