The former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Wednesday has sought refuge in the Indian High Commission in Male, where he went immediately after issuance of an arrest warrant against him by a Maldivian court.

The arrest warrant was issued against Nasheed by the court after he failed to turn up for the scheduled trial hearing at Hulhumale magistrate court on February 10 in the case regarding detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

The former President was on a visit to India after being granted permission to depart the country by the court. Despite his permitted travel period expiring on February 9, Nasheed returned to Male on February 11.

Meanwhile, anti-riots police have surrounded the Indian mission and police have set up barricades around the High Commission area.

According to sources, the former Maldivian President has sought a meeting with High Commissioner DM Mulay, who flew back to Maldives on early Wednesday morning from Delhi.

Commenting on the developments in Maldives, the Spokesperson in the Indian External Affairs Ministry, Syed Akbaruddin said : “Following the arrest warrant issued against him by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, the former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, who is a candidate for the Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for September 2013, is in the Indian High Commission and has sought India’s assistance. We are in touch with the relevant Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation.”

Further qualifying his statement, Akbaruddin said that as a close and friendly neighbour, India has expressed concern over the ongoing political instability in Maldives and called upon the Government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles and the rule of law, thereby paving the way for free, fair, credible and inclusive elections.

“Now that the President of the Election Commission of Maldives has announced that Presidential elections would be held on 7 September 2013, it is necessary that the Presidential nominees of recognized political parties be free to participate in the elections without any hindrance. Prevention of participation by political leaders in the contest would call into question the integrity of the electoral process, thereby perpetuating the current political instability in Maldives. This is not in the interest of Maldives or the region. India would call upon the Government and all political parties in Maldives to avoid any actions that would vitiate the political atmosphere in the Maldives,” he said.

Nasheed tweeted, “Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives.”

Nasheed stepped down as President in February 2012 after series of protests following the judge’s arrest. He, however, claimed that he was removed by a military coup.