Maldives judges ‘took millions in bribes’ as part of coup plot

Judges took millions of dollars in bribes to facilitate a coup, Maldives police said Wednesday.

Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Judge Ali Hameed were both arrested hours after a state of emergency was declared Monday night.

Their arrest, together with the storming of the Supreme Court and the arrest of former leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has plunged the country into crisis.

Acting police chief Abdulla Nawaz told reporters that police had found evidence that millions of dollars were given to Saeed and Hameed of the Supreme Court, and to court official Hassan Saeed, as bribes.

Last week the Supreme Court ordered the release of nine prisoners, but President Abdulla Yameen resisted and instead rounded up more of his opponents.

On Tuesday the remaining Supreme Court judges revoked the order to release the prisoners.

Nawaz said police had reason to believe Gayoom had bribed politicians and influenced judges in order to overthrow the government.

All four are being charged with attempting to unlawfully overthrow the government.

Nawaz said police had found “lots of cash” that was connected to Hameed and that “lots of cash” had been found under Hassan Saeed’s mattress.