Maldives extends emergency for 30 more days; opposition calls it illegal

The Maldives' Parliament today extended the state of emergency by another 30 days, approving President Abdulla Yameen's recommendation, bolstering his grip on power in the troubled Indian Ocean island nation.

President Yameen declared emergency on February 5 after the Supreme Court ordered the release of a group of Opposition leaders, who had been convicted in widely criticised trials. Among them was exiled ex-President Mohamed Nasheed. The court said his 2015 trial had been unconstitutional.
Only 38 MPs were present for the vote, which took place hours before the state of emergency was due to expire, despite 43 lawmakers being needed for the vote to take place as required by the Constitution, Maldives Independent news website reported.

All 38 were from the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and they all approved the extension, it