Maldives opposition fears president will flee

The joint opposition asked police Wednesday night to prevent President Abdulla Yameen from fleeing to escape prosecution for corruption.

The complaint was lodged hours after Yameen conceded defeat for the second time as his petition to annul the September 23 election was dealt a blow by the Supreme Court’s refusal to call secret witnesses.

“This is a critical moment as we’re receiving information from various sources that President Yameen is preparing to leave even tomorrow,” the Maldivian Democratic Party’s chairman Hassan Latheef told the press outside the police headquarters.

Coalition parties believe police have legal authority to hold Yameen for ongoing investigations, he added.