MALE, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Monday evening declared a state of emergency amid political crisis in the country.
Yameen officially announced that the Maldives was in a state of emergency for the duration of 15 days starting on Monday night.
The announcement was read by Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor on state television, flanked by Attorney General Mohamed Anil.
Yameen on Monday evening assured all Maldivians and the international community visiting and living in the country of their safety.
A statement from the President's Office said that Yameen had declared 15 days of state of emergency, starting Monday, and during this period, though certain rights would be restricted, general movements, services and businesses would not be affected.
Several conditions were placed by the president which were based on the rights preserved for the head of the state under the Maldives Constitution, local media said.
Maldives has been facing days of unrest after the Supreme Court issued a ruling last week to release top opposition political leaders including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
The court said in a brief statement that they must be freed until fair trials could be conducted without undue influence.
Yameen had earlier Monday written three letters to the Supreme Court explaining the challenges being faced in implementing the court order.
The Maldives attorney general on Sunday advised all law enforcement agencies in the country not to comply with any order that is in conflict with the Maldives' Constitution following reports that the Supreme Court may order to impeach President Yameen.
