Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigns amid Police mutiny

Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed has resigned after weeks of demonstrations and a mutiny by some police officers and is currently being held against his will by security forces at the presidential palace in the capital, Male.

Earlier, a group of mutinying police officers took control of the state broadcaster in Male and began playing out messages in support of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

In 2008, Mr Nasheed, a former human rights campaigner, beat long-time ruler Mr Gayoom, who had been in power as president for 30 years and was widely seen as autocratic.

On Monday, around 50 policemen stood down in favour of the protesters and refused to obey orders.

Soldiers used tear gas to break up a demonstration by supporters of Mr Gayoom. The president's office denied reports that the army fired rubber bullets at the protesting police officers.

ORIGINAL SOURCE
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