Maldivian authorities have charged former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and several senior judges with "terrorism" for attempting to topple President Abdulla Yameen, the government said Wednesday. Eighty-year-old Gayoom and ten others - including the sacked chief justice Abdulla Saeed - were charged under state of emergency laws imposed in the paradise tourist island last month.
Gayoom has been held since February 5 as the state of emergency was declared by Yameen, deepening the political crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The country's criminal court Wednesday ordered Gayoom be remanded in custody until the conclusion of his trial, although it was not immediately clear when the case would commence.
Yameen had resorted to emergency laws to prevent himself from being impeached by the national parliament after he lost his majority following a Supreme Court ruling on February 1. The state of emergency is due to lapse on Thursday unless Yameen extends it further.
The Prosecutor General's office said Wednesday that Gayoom, who ruled the country for 30 years until 2008, had been charged with attempting an "act of terrorism and obstruction of justice". Gayoom's legislator son Faris Maumoon and son-in-law were also charged, along with another judge.
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