Maldives President appeals for calm after VP’s arrest

Adheeb, who was a close aide of President Abdulla Yameen, was arrested for charges of treason for his alleged involvement in a blast on a presidential speedboat last month.

The president was unhurt in the September 28 blast on his boat, which authorities described as an assassination attempt.

After Adeeb’s arrest Saturday, a small group of his supporters staged a protest that led to a police crackdown, with 17 people detained.

The parties said signatures were collected for the no-confidence motion against Adeeb, who is also the deputy leader of the PPM. The government said on Saturday that Adeeb would be charged with “high treason”.

The President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom announced the dismissal of the Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor from his office on October 25, 2015.

During a hearing in which Adeeb and his lawyers participated by teleconference, the court approved his detention for 15 days of questioning while police conduct raids on the homes and businesses of his family and associates. Despite an worldwide outcry, Nasheed was put on a fast-tracked trial.

In July, Adeeb was moved from the Tourism Ministry to become vice president after lawmakers loyal to Gayoom impeached his predecessor and lowered the minimum presidential age from 35 to 30.

The Maldives is a popular upmarket tourist destination, but its image has suffered in recent years due to prolonged political unrest.

Soon after the blast, Adeeb approached MPs to impeach the president, Yameen said.

The government initially said the blast may gave been caused by a mechanical failure but this was ruled out under an investigation involving the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Sri Lanka.

However, no details have come forth as to how Adeeb was actually involved in the incident, just as the world doesn’t yet know how former President Nasheed is a terrorist.

Members of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) were on Monday collecting signatures to file a motion to remove Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, officials said.

Yameen also claimed bomb-making equipment had been discovered during raids on the homes of Adeeb’s associates in the capital on Saturday.

Three other people were arrested Saturday, raising the number of those detained in the case to seven.