The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the arrest of Adam Azim on Thursday, describing it as undemocratic. 

Azim was arrested on charges of attempting to over the government based on a secret police report. 

“Adam Azim’s arrest, on blatantly trumped-up charges, demonstrates once again President Yameen’s refusal to return to the path of democracy and good governance, and his obstinacy in the face of international criticism” the party’s statement said. 

The party’s statement further noted that the arrest comes only a day after the Maldives was placed on the United Nations Human Rights Council’s agenda, and that the arrest warrant was signed as early as 2:00 am on Thursday. 

Azim, who is also the Minister of Trade at the Maldives United Opposition's shadow cabinet, was arrested on Thursday. 

He is the brother of former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim, who is serving a jail sentence for a weapons possession charge he denied in court.