Court orders arrest of former Maldives president

A Maldives court has ordered ex-President Mohamed Nasheed arrested after he failed to appear for a hearing to face charges that he illegally ordered the arrest of a judge.

Party spokesman Abdul Gafoor confirmed a report on the Haveeru daily’s website that a court ordered police to produce Mr Nasheed “in court by keeping him in custody” to face charges tomorrow.

Last week, the Hulhumale Magistrate Court ordered Mr Nasheed to appear at a hearing and not leave the capital, Male, without the court’s permission. Mr Nasheed defied both orders.

He was a democracy activist and political prisoner before becoming president in the country’s first multiparty election in 2008.

He resigned in February after the judge’s arrest triggered widespread protests.