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Maldives Supreme Court orders release of jailed politicians Maldives police disperse crowds celebrating court ruling
(about 9 hours later)
The Maldives Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release and retrial of the exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed and other opposition leaders. Maldives police have fired tear gas at crowds of opposition supporters celebrating a Supreme Court ruling.
In a statement, the court declared that their original trials violated constitutional and international law. A reporter said police told crowds they would "not be responsible for damage inflicted by using force".
The Court ordered the immediate release and retrial of the exiled former president Mohamed Nasheed and other opposition leaders.
It declared that their original trials violated constitutional and international law.
The court decision effectively restores the opposition majority in parliament, reinstating 12 members who had been stripped of their seats.The court decision effectively restores the opposition majority in parliament, reinstating 12 members who had been stripped of their seats.
Opposition supporters took to the streets to celebrate the ruling. Shortly after the ruling the police announced on Twitter that they were satisfied with the legality of the ruling and would enforce it.
Police in the capital, Male, used tear gas to disperse one group. However, the police commissioner Ahmed Areef was then dismissed by Attorney General Mohamed Anil at a hastily convened late-night press conference.
Attorney General Anil said Ahmed Areef had been sacked because he was uncontactable following the court order. Local media reported that he also said the president was "disheartened" by the police commissioner's decision to enforce the ruling.
The attorney general said the government was reviewing the court order.
The country has seen political unrest since Mr Nasheed, its first democratically elected leader, was convicted in 2015.The country has seen political unrest since Mr Nasheed, its first democratically elected leader, was convicted in 2015.
His conviction and 13-year sentence was internationally condemned, and he was given political asylum in the United Kingdom. His conviction and 13-year sentence was internationally condemned, and he was given political asylum in the UK. However, he is currently in Sri Lanka.
Former Vice-President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor and other opposition leaders were among the others named in the latest order.Former Vice-President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor and other opposition leaders were among the others named in the latest order.
It called for their immediate release and said the "questionable and politically motivated nature of the trials of the political leaders warrant a re-trial".It called for their immediate release and said the "questionable and politically motivated nature of the trials of the political leaders warrant a re-trial".
In a tweet, Mr Nasheed called for President Abdulla Yameen to resign. The call was echoed in a joint statement issued by the country's opposition parties.In a tweet, Mr Nasheed called for President Abdulla Yameen to resign. The call was echoed in a joint statement issued by the country's opposition parties.
Mr Nasheed told local television that he planned to return to Male, but not immediately. Mr Nasheed told local television that he planned to return to Malé, but not immediately.
"I will move forward wisely with the advice of the party and the united parties," he said."I will move forward wisely with the advice of the party and the united parties," he said.
The US ambassador to the Maldives urged the country's leader to respect the court's judgement.The US ambassador to the Maldives urged the country's leader to respect the court's judgement.
A spokesman for the president's office said in a statement that the government questioned the ruling but would comply.
However, the chief of police has reportedly been fired following the ruling, Attorney General Mohamed Anil said.
The Indian Ocean nation has been independent from Britain for 53 years, during which time it was ruled for decades autocratically by then President Maumoon Abdul Gayhoom.The Indian Ocean nation has been independent from Britain for 53 years, during which time it was ruled for decades autocratically by then President Maumoon Abdul Gayhoom.
It became a multi-party democracy in 2008, but since President Yameen took power in 2013 it has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary.It became a multi-party democracy in 2008, but since President Yameen took power in 2013 it has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary.
The nation is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 individual islands, and is popular among foreigners as a luxury tourist destination.The nation is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 individual islands, and is popular among foreigners as a luxury tourist destination.