Former Maldivian minister arrested for anti-state activities

Former defence minister of Maldives Mohamed Nazim has been arrested on charges of anti-state activities, media reported Tuesday.

Nazim's lawyer said police told him his client was being charged with offences related to activities against the state, while his arrest form described the charges as terrorism and possession of illegal items, state run MiniVan News reported.

"We would be able to prove at the remand hearing that Nazim should not have been arrested and he is not guilty of any illegal activity," lawyer said.

Media reported that the police investigation into dangerous weapons charge had been forwarded to the Prosecutor General's Office Monday evening.

Nazim himself tweeted news of his arrest to his followers shortly after 1 a.m, also announcing that he had left the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives.

Special operations officers had raided Nazim's home in the early hours of Jan 18, with police later saying they had found dangerous weapons, including a pistol and an explosive device, during the search.

Though the party initially supported the minister, Nazim was dismissed from his position two days later and replaced by Moosa Ali Jaleel Jan 20.

Police have maintained they were unaware prior to the raid that the house belonged to the defence minister, and later told media that the decision was made not to make arrests due to the profile of the suspect.

After the passports of both Nazim and his wife were confiscated, the former minister was summoned for questioning at police headquarters.