Maldivian Government has said that the court order ordering the police to arrest President Mohamed Nasheed and to present him to court has now become void and that there is no further reason for Nasheed to hide in the Indian High Commission.

In an interview to Indian news agency CNN-IBN, Maldivian Government Press Secretary Massood Imad said that former President Nasheed was being sought by the police following a court order ordering to them to present him to court for the hearing of the case involving the enforced disappearance of the Criminal Court judge Abdulla Mohamed.

“Police were ordered to present Nasheed to the hearing scheduled for 4 pm yesterday evening. We have now passed the specified time. Therefore, the order upon the police to arrest Nasheed is now void…” Massood said.

Speaking to CNN-IBN, Massoon further said that the police would not have attempted to arrest Nasheed even if he stepped out of the High Commission, and that there is no need for Nasheed to hide in the High Commission any longer.

Former president Nasheed went to the Indian High Commission and asked for their help yesterday afternoon. Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said that the Indian High Commission has facilitated Nasheed’s request for help. Government of India has said that they will discuss the issue with the Maldivian Government.