COLOMBO // Maldives police say they have arrested Mohamed Nasheed, the former president, who failed to appear for a hearing to face charges that he illegally ordered the arrest of a judge.
Police spokesman Hasan Haneef said Mr Nasheed was arrested on Fares-Mathoda island, about 440 kilometres away from the capital Male today.
"He is in police custody in order to be produced before courts on Tuesday," Mr Haneef added.
Yesterday, Hulhumale magistrate court issued an arrest warrant on Mr Nasheed after he twice defied summons to appear before courts. The same courts, two weeks ago, ordered him not to leave the capital, Male, without the court's permission. Nasheed defied that order too.
Mr Nasheed was country's first elected president, but he resigned as president in February due to protest over judge's arrest.
