Maldives has lifted a state of emergency that was imposed earlier this month following what the government said was a plot to assassinate President Abdulla Yameen, the island nation’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Tuesday.
The state of emergency, imposed November 4, had been scheduled to last 30 days. It was lifted early, the ministry said, because progress has been made in unraveling the plot.
“Weapons illegally held by some private individuals have been seized and the overall security situation in the country has improved,” the ministry statement said, adding that security forces have made arrests.
Vice president denies charges of treason
The ministry said police had made progress in finding out what led to an explosion on the President’s yacht shortly after he disembarked on September 28. His wife and two other people were wounded in the blast.
The state of emergency was announced two days after police say they found an explosive device in a vehicle near the President’s residence.
In late October, state-run TV reported that Vice President Ahmed Adeeb had been arrested and charged with treason in connection with an alleged assassination attempt on Yameen. Adeeb has denied the charges.
