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Maldives treason charges add to political turbulence Maldives treason charges add to political turbulence
(2 days later)
In Maldives politics, fortunes can change very quickly.In Maldives politics, fortunes can change very quickly.
Only three months ago, Ahmed Adeeb became the youngest vice-president in the country's democratic history.Only three months ago, Ahmed Adeeb became the youngest vice-president in the country's democratic history.
He successfully pursued a constitutional amendment to lower the minimum age in order to assume the position.He successfully pursued a constitutional amendment to lower the minimum age in order to assume the position.
Mr Adeeb was regarded as one of President Abdulla Yameen's most-trusted aides. The 33-year-old was regarded as one of President Abdulla Yameen's most-trusted aides.
But on Saturday, stepping off a plane from Singapore, Mr Adeeb was arrested on charges of "high treason", for allegedly conspiring to cause an explosion on the presidential yacht last month.But on Saturday, stepping off a plane from Singapore, Mr Adeeb was arrested on charges of "high treason", for allegedly conspiring to cause an explosion on the presidential yacht last month.
President Yameen managed to escape unharmed in the blast, but the first lady and two presidential aides were injured.President Yameen managed to escape unharmed in the blast, but the first lady and two presidential aides were injured.
The alleged attack was the latest incident to unnerve the island nation, which in recent years has faced a protracted political crisis and an alarming rise of Islamic extremism.The alleged attack was the latest incident to unnerve the island nation, which in recent years has faced a protracted political crisis and an alarming rise of Islamic extremism.
While initially the government said the blast may have been a result of mechanical failure, it later announced that it was an assassination attempt on the president and was opening a criminal investigation.While initially the government said the blast may have been a result of mechanical failure, it later announced that it was an assassination attempt on the president and was opening a criminal investigation.
Some media focused on a possible attack by Islamic State sympathisers, only a month after a video had been released showing armed Maldivian militants threatening to target the president and carry out attacks on home ground.Some media focused on a possible attack by Islamic State sympathisers, only a month after a video had been released showing armed Maldivian militants threatening to target the president and carry out attacks on home ground.
Impeached But rumours then emerged implicating Mr Adeeb, eventually forcing him to deny them on live TV.
But rumours then emerged implicating Mr Adeeb, and he was eventually forced to deny them on live TV.
Speaking on Dhi TV, he complained that he was always being unfairly blamed for such events - in his words, "a hen ready for slaughter".Speaking on Dhi TV, he complained that he was always being unfairly blamed for such events - in his words, "a hen ready for slaughter".
And he accused his predecessor, Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, of being the source of the speculation. And he accused his predecessor, Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, of being the source of the speculation. Mr Jameel himself had faced treason charges, and was subsequently impeached, paving the way for Mr Adeeb's ascendancy.
Mr Jameel himself had found himself facing treason charges, and was subsequently impeached, paving the way for Mr Adeeb's ascendancy. Impeached
Under the Maldivian constitution, a vice-president assumes the position of president if he dies or is incapacitated. Under the Maldivian constitution, if Mr Yameen dies or is incapacitated, his vice-president would assume the presidency.
And Mr Adeeb has a questionable past, having been implicated in a $6m (£3.9m) corruption scandal, as well as having alleged links to gangs.And Mr Adeeb has a questionable past, having been implicated in a $6m (£3.9m) corruption scandal, as well as having alleged links to gangs.
So his involvement in any alleged plot is not implausible. But is there any proof?So his involvement in any alleged plot is not implausible. But is there any proof?
"It's so murky that we have no idea what's going on," says Zaheena Rasheed, the editor of the Maldives Independent, who has spoken to sources involved in the investigation."It's so murky that we have no idea what's going on," says Zaheena Rasheed, the editor of the Maldives Independent, who has spoken to sources involved in the investigation.
"What's clear is that there is not enough evidence. From what we can see they have nothing on him."What's clear is that there is not enough evidence. From what we can see they have nothing on him.
"When so little is known, his arrest appears based on the fact that he would have the biggest motive.""When so little is known, his arrest appears based on the fact that he would have the biggest motive."
The arrest reflects the extent of the political infighting that has characterised Mr Yameen's two years in office.The arrest reflects the extent of the political infighting that has characterised Mr Yameen's two years in office.
Since the blast, the defence minister and police commissioner have both found themselves dismissed from their posts.Since the blast, the defence minister and police commissioner have both found themselves dismissed from their posts.
And earlier this year, the former defence minister, Colonel Mohamed Nazim, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for weapons offences.And earlier this year, the former defence minister, Colonel Mohamed Nazim, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for weapons offences.
It has become apparent that President Yameen has not been afraid to remove or sideline supposed allies in the same way as he has sought to quieten the opposition.It has become apparent that President Yameen has not been afraid to remove or sideline supposed allies in the same way as he has sought to quieten the opposition.
His main political opponent, former President Mohamed Nasheed, was imprisoned in March under terrorism laws, for ordering the arrest of a judge while in office in 2012.His main political opponent, former President Mohamed Nasheed, was imprisoned in March under terrorism laws, for ordering the arrest of a judge while in office in 2012.
Mr Nasheed won the first democratic polls in 2008, ousting Mr Yameen's half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, after three decades of autocratic rule.
Despite international condemnation and calls for Mr Nasheed's release, President Yameen has remained steadfast.Despite international condemnation and calls for Mr Nasheed's release, President Yameen has remained steadfast.
What critics fear is that his most recent move is another step towards consolidating power, and ultimately leading the country back to its undemocratic past.What critics fear is that his most recent move is another step towards consolidating power, and ultimately leading the country back to its undemocratic past.
That was not too long ago. The Maldives was ruled autocratically for three decades by Mr Yameen's half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, until he was ousted in the country's first ever democratic polls in 2008.
Who's who in the MaldivesWho's who in the Maldives