Maldives declares emergency rule

    The Maldives, Sri Lanka's closest neighbour, on Wednesday at noon declared a nationwide state of emergency for 30 days saying there were threats to national security and public safety, two weeks after the country’s Vice President was arrested and accused of trying to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen. Emergency rule also came two days ahead of a planned mass protest by the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) which in effect is banned under tough rules, news reports said. Attorney General Mohamed Anil was quoted as saying in Minvan News that President Abdulla Yameen has issued an executive decree based on advice from the national security council following the recent discovery of firearms and explosives. The security forces have uncovered plots to use dangerous weapons, he has said. The 2013 Freedom of Assembly Act has been suspended, the Minivan report said. Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was arrested on October 22 on suspicion of links to an explosion on the president’s speedboat on September 28. The government says a bomb targeting the president caused the explosion On November 2, security forces found and defused a bomb near the President’s official residence. – ENDS-