Ahmed Adheeb impeached from his Maldivian VP post

The Maldives Parliament on Thursday impeached Vice President Ahmed Adheeb after approving the 30-day state of emergency imposed by President Yameen, the parliament said here.

In a statement, Maldivian parliament said that no-confidence motion against Adheeb had passed with 61 votes.

Adheeb was allowed 30 minutes for his defence, and another chance will also be offered to respond to the impeachment in person or writing.

The ruling coalition had filed the impeachment motion against Ahdeeb on Tuesday, with the signature of 52 parliamentarians, including members form the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), its coalition partner Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA) and Jumhooree Party (JP).

President Yameen, in declaring the 30-day state of emergency, said the security forces had seized dangerous weapons and explosives from two areas in the Maldives.

Yameen and First Lady were travelling to Male from the airport on September 28 when an explosion took place.

They had returned home that morning after concluding their visit to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage.

The president was unhurt, but the first lady suffered a spinal fracture and still remains in hospital.

Adheeb was arrested on October 24 over alleged plot to assassinate president and taken to the police detention centre in the island of Dhoonidhoo in Kaafu atoll.

He is accused of orchestrating the blast aboard the presidential speedboat now confirmed as an attempt to kill the president.

The declaration of emergency, meanwhile, came a day after security forces discovered an explosive device near the presidential palace.

Maldives military had confirmed that the suspected device found in a vehicle parked near the presidential residence of Muliaage in capital Male was an improvised explosive device which had been subsequently been defused. Endit