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Maldives Cabinet minister resigns as political turmoil deepens

Xinhua, May 6, 2015 Adjust font size:

Political issues in the Maldives has deepened with Minister of Islamic affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed resigning from the Cabinet, local media reported on Wednesday.

The Adhaalath Party member announced his resignation in a tweet. "I have resigned from the Islamic minister's post," he said.

Shaheem's resignation comes after the police arrested Adhaalath Party president Sheikh Imran Abdulla during a mass anti-government protest on May 1. The religious conservative party had split from the ruling coalition in March after the arrest and trial of ex- defence minister Mohamed Nazim on weapons smuggling charges.

His resignation comes within two days of opposition-aligned religious conservative Adhaalath Party calling upon all party members in high-level government positions to resign immediately.

President's office spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz Ali confirmed the resignation via twitter, but declined to comment further.

Several members of the Adhaalath Party had resigned from the government in March and joined the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in a campaign against the government.

The opposition is continuing its protests despite a crackdown and the arrest of nearly 200 people from the May Day protest last Friday. Top leaders of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Adhaalath Party.

In March former President Mohammad Nasheed was jailed for 13 years in a trial that has received severe international criticism for failing to follow due process. Endi