Maldives opposition alleges harassment by govt. over MPs dismissal orders

The Maldives opposition party has accused the government of harassment following dismissal orders for its MPs from the parliament given by the Supreme Court.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) accused the apex court's judges of collaborating with the government, the BBC reports.

According to the report, the Supreme Court had disqualified Ali Azim and Mohamed Nashiz from parliament for the non-payment of a debt of 9 million dollars, for which they had signed as loan guarantors.

However, the dismissed MPs said they will continue to serve as MPs regardless of the court ruling.

MDP's Ahmed Naseem said the case had been revived to further reduce the thin majority of the party in the parliament.

The Maldives has been facing political turmoil since former President Mohamed Nasheed was ousted in 2012.

Nasheed had won the first round of the election with 45 percent votes, against five percent won by President Mohamed Waheed in September.

However, the result was annulled by the Supreme Court and the second round of voting was postponed over reports of alleged irregularities, although international powers claimed the process had been free and fair.