Maldives' Nasheed misses 1st day of trial

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MALE, Maldives, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed skipped the first day of his abuse of power trial Monday, the Maldivian online news source Haveeru reported.

Nasheed faces charges of unconstitutional arrest and detention of Chief Criminal Judge Abdulla Mohamed, which led to widespread protests, the president's loss of support from the military and police and his subsequent resignation.

Nasheed was scheduled to leave on a tour with his Maldivian Democratic Party to the south of the country and could be avoiding court in an effort by the party to reject any charges filed through Maldives courts until a reformation of the judicial system, Haveeru Online said.

If found guilty, Nasheed could be prevented from running in the presidential election next year, Britain's Guardian reported.

Last week, Nasheed was banned from leaving the Maldivian capital of Male without permission.