Maldives Plummets into Political Crisis

Maldives police have arrested the country's chief justice of the Supreme Court as a political crisis worsens in the Indian Ocean nation.

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another judge, Ali Hameed, were arrested hours after the government declared a state of emergency.  No details were given about the investigation or any charges.

The turmoil began when President Abdulla Yameen refused to obey a judicial  order from the Supreme Courth to release a group of opposition politicians. It also ruled that the 2015 trial of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is living in exile, had been unconstitutional.

The country's police commissioner said he would enforce the court's ruling - in response, the government of President Yameen sacked him.  The army has now been ordered to resist any attempt to impeach or remove President Yameen.

The exiled Nasheed called on India and the U.S. to help remove President Yameen, who had "illegally" declared martial law, he said.  In a tweet, Nasheed asked for India to send an envoy to help release the political prisoners, and the US to impose financial sanctions on the Maldives' leaders.

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has allied himself with the opposition, was detained at his home. 

Since President Yameen took power in 2013 the country has faced questions over freedom of speech, the detention of opponents and the independence of the judiciary.

The U.S. State Department said it was "troubled and disappointed" by the developments.