Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Abdulla Yameen, the president of Maldives, declared a state of emergency Monday amid protests over the government's resistance to a Supreme Court order to release opposition politicians from prison.
Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor announced the 15-day state of emergency, which gives security forces the authority to make arrests and halt the power of the judiciary. Soldiers entered the high court and surrounded the parliament building.
The Supreme Court ordered Thursday the release of nine opposition members, saying their trials were politically motivated. The government refused and protesters took to the streets in the capital of Malé.
"The government does not believe that the Supreme Court ruling to release the political prisoners can be enforced," Shakoor said. The verdict "resulted in the disruption of the functions of the executive power, and the infringement of national security and public interest."
Yameen suspended the parliament, where the opposition party has a majority, and ordered the arrest of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on Monday. Officials accused Gayoom, Yameen's half-brother, of trying to overthrow the government.
Maldives was under authoritarian rule for 30 years during Gayoom's tenure. There was a brief period of democratic growth under his successor, Mohamed Nasheed, who was elected in 2008, The Guardian reported.
Since Yameen's election, the government has suppressed dissent and has been criticized for creating new laws to silence the opposition.
Nasheed took to Twitter, saying Monday's orders are tantamount to a coup.
"President Yameen must resign immediately," he said. "Security services must uphold the constitution and serve the Maldivian people."