Arrest Warrant Issued for Maldives President

Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed speaks at his residence in Male, Malidives, on Feb. 9. (Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP/Getty Images)

A warrant was issued for former Maldives President, who quit earlier this week, according to media reports.

Nasheed, in an interview with the BBC, said he was worried for his safety and sent his wife and daughters to Sri Lanka.

After turning over power to Vice President Waheed Hassan Manik, Nasheed said that he was forced to resign at gunpoint. Maldives authorities have denied the allegations.

“I hope the international community will take note of what is happening in the Maldives,” Nasheed said, according to Al-Jazeera. “The facts on the ground are that tomorrow I will be in jail.”

Manik told the BBC that although there is a warrant out for Nasheed’s arrest, he has ordered that it not be carried out unless Nasheed’s safety is at risk.

There have been a number of protests in support of Nasheed, some of which are turning violent. Amnesty International on Wednesday called on the Maldives government to end the police crackdown of protesters, with reports that officers beat some 40 demonstrators with batons.