Travel ban on Nasheed officials: Maldives police

Male, Feb 8: The Maldives police today confirmed a travel ban on members of former president Mohamed Nasheed's administration, pending investigations into possible abuses of power.

Nasheed resigned yesterday following weeks of anti-government protests capped by a police mutiny, which Nasheed's political party said amounted to a "coup d'etat." "There may have to be investigations into the actions of several people in the former administration," police spokesman Ahmed Shiyam told AFP.

"Until the new government takes a decision on what to do with them, they will not be allowed to leave."

Unconfirmed reports said up to 50 people had been placed on the travel ban. Shiyam said the authorities were providing protection to Nasheed, but declined to say if he was under house arrest or if he was free to receive visitors.

"All I can say is that he is in a safe place and we are giving him protection for his own safety," he said.

According to Nasheed's brother, after the president resigned he was escorted to a family residence where he spent the evening. His former foreign minister, Ahmed Naseem, today said that Nasheed was under effective house arrest.

AFP