Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been arrested at his home.
Police officers entered his house on Monday night.
Prior to the arrest, the opposition leader said the police had surrounded his house, and later on his daughter Yumna Maumoon tweeted that officers of Special Operations (SO) had broken their door open and were arresting Gayoom and her husband.
A large number of @PoliceMv around my residence. To protect me or to arrest me? No idea. @USAmbKeshap @AkhileshIFS @MNDF_Official @hrcmv @amnesty
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) February 5, 2018
SO police broke down the door and are arresting my father President @maumoonagayoom and husband @MNadhym right now. @USAmbKeshap @JamesDauris @EU_Maldives @CanHCSriLanka @AusHCSriLanka @AkhileshIFS @amnesty @UNHumanRights
— Yumna Maumoon (@yumna_maumoon) February 5, 2018
After officers entered his house, Gayoom gave a statement live on Twitter in which he confirmed he was being taken into custody.
Gayoom said he did not know what he was being accused of, and assured people that he has not done anything to be arrested over.
He also said that the opposition will not stop their reform work, and appealed the people to remain courageous and steadfast with him.
