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| Ousted Maldivian president: world has failed to defend democracy | Ousted Maldivian president: world has failed to defend democracy |
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| The international community has failed to defend democracy in Maldives, said Mohamed Nasheed the ousted president of the Indian Ocean island state. | The international community has failed to defend democracy in Maldives, said Mohamed Nasheed the ousted president of the Indian Ocean island state. |
| Speaking to the Guardian a day after his release from detention, Nasheed, who was forced out in what supporters say was a coup earlier this year, said it was difficult for him to believe that "democracy is sacred for the international community". | Speaking to the Guardian a day after his release from detention, Nasheed, who was forced out in what supporters say was a coup earlier this year, said it was difficult for him to believe that "democracy is sacred for the international community". |
| "The people of the Maldives have lost faith with the international community … which has taken a very narrow view," said Nasheed, an internationally respected environmental activist who was described by David Cameron as his "new best mate" in November 2011. | "The people of the Maldives have lost faith with the international community … which has taken a very narrow view," said Nasheed, an internationally respected environmental activist who was described by David Cameron as his "new best mate" in November 2011. |
| Nasheed, who became the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives in 2008, resigned as president in February in a confused episode during which he says he was forced to relinquish power at gunpoint. | Nasheed, who became the first democratically elected leader of the Maldives in 2008, resigned as president in February in a confused episode during which he says he was forced to relinquish power at gunpoint. |
| International reaction has been relatively muted and Nasheed's overseas trips to Europe and elsewhere have failed to elicit the support his supporters had hoped for. Arrested on Monday on Fares-Mathoda island, in the Gaaf Dhaal atoll, about 440km away from the capital Malé after twice refusing summons to court to face charges linked to the controversial arrest of a senior judge while he was in power, Nasheed was held for 24 hours. | International reaction has been relatively muted and Nasheed's overseas trips to Europe and elsewhere have failed to elicit the support his supporters had hoped for. Arrested on Monday on Fares-Mathoda island, in the Gaaf Dhaal atoll, about 440km away from the capital Malé after twice refusing summons to court to face charges linked to the controversial arrest of a senior judge while he was in power, Nasheed was held for 24 hours. |
| Speaking after his release he said the charges were aimed at ensuring he cannot contest new presidential polls set to be held next year. A trial date has now been set in early November. | Speaking after his release he said the charges were aimed at ensuring he cannot contest new presidential polls set to be held next year. A trial date has now been set in early November. |
| "It is very certain that they can't win [the election] with me [standing] as a candidate so they are trying all sorts of ways to stop me … It is really quite chilling," said the 45-year-old veteran political activist. | "It is very certain that they can't win [the election] with me [standing] as a candidate so they are trying all sorts of ways to stop me … It is really quite chilling," said the 45-year-old veteran political activist. |
| Officials from the government of President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who took power when Nasheed resigned in February, maintain their actions have been constitutional. An inquiry commission concluded that Nasheed left office legally. Abbas Riza, spokesman for the current president, has said everything had been done "according to the country's law". | Officials from the government of President Mohammed Waheed Hassan, who took power when Nasheed resigned in February, maintain their actions have been constitutional. An inquiry commission concluded that Nasheed left office legally. Abbas Riza, spokesman for the current president, has said everything had been done "according to the country's law". |
| However, Amnesty International has described events in the Maldives as a "human rights crisis", reporting widespread police brutality and arbitrary arrests. | However, Amnesty International has described events in the Maldives as a "human rights crisis", reporting widespread police brutality and arbitrary arrests. |
| Nasheed, 45, said his party, the Maldivian Democratic Party, would be forced to boycott polls to be held next year if, as appears likely, he is convicted and thus barred as a candidate. Such a boycott would seriously undermine the credibility of any election. The MDP has held frequent protests in recent months demanding polls. President Hassan has said he will hold elections in July 2013, the earliest time permitted by the constitution. | Nasheed, 45, said his party, the Maldivian Democratic Party, would be forced to boycott polls to be held next year if, as appears likely, he is convicted and thus barred as a candidate. Such a boycott would seriously undermine the credibility of any election. The MDP has held frequent protests in recent months demanding polls. President Hassan has said he will hold elections in July 2013, the earliest time permitted by the constitution. |
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