Security forces stand guard outside the Supreme Court in Male (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Security forces in the Maldives have broken into the country’s Supreme Court in Male.

The country has been plunged into a crisis, just hours after President Abdulla Yameen declared a 15-day state of emergency.

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A battle between rulers and the Supreme Court has been escalating, with Yameen’s allies accusing the court of trying to bring down the government.

Yameen earlier defied a Supreme Court ruling, in which he was ordered to release nine jailed opposition leaders – including a former president.


Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor had announced the emergency in a televised address.

BREAKING NEWS:

THE NATIONAL DEFENSE FORCES OF THE MALDIVES HAVE BROKEN INTO THE SUPREME COURT OF THE MALDIVES. — Maldives Judiciary (@judiciarymv) February 5, 2018

File photo of Maldives President Abdulla Yameen (Picture: Reuters)

A Maldivian opposition supporter stands facing police during a protest demanding the release of political prisoners in Male (Picture: AP Photo/Mohamed Sharuhaan)

Opposition supporters protest against the government’s delay in releasing their jailed leaders (Picture: Reuters)

Maldivian opposition supporters shout slogans during a protest as they the urge the government to obey a Supreme Court order to release and retry political prisoners (Picture: AP Photo/ Mohamed Sharuhaan)

Under its terms, judges will no longer be granted special privileges if they are facing arrest. The emergency decree also gives the government sweeping powers to make arrests, search and seize property and restricts freedom of assembly, officials said.

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‘Certain rights will be restricted (but) general movements, services and businesses will not be affected,’ the president’s office had said in a statement about the emergency.



‘The government of Maldives wishes to also assure all Maldivians and the international community that the safety of all Maldivians and foreigners living in and visiting the Maldives, will be ensured.’

Maldivian police officers stand guard blocking a road during an opposition protest demanding the release of political prisoners in Male (Picture: AP Photo/Mohamed Sharuhaan)

Maldivian police officers detain an opposition protestor demanding the release of political prisoners during a protest in Male (Picture: AP Photo/Mohamed Sharuhaan)

Maldivian opposition protestors shout slogans demanding the release of political prisoners during a protest in Male (Picture: AP Photo/Mohamed Sharuhaan)

Eva Abdulla, an opposition legislator, said the latest declaration of the state of emergency ‘is an indication of President Yameen’s desperation’.

‘It only serves to show an isolated man who no longer has the confidence of the Maldivian people and independent institutions,’ she said.

‘He has no democratic mandate to govern and must resign immediately.’