MALDIVIAN President Abdulla Yameen said today he had declared a state of emergency in the face of a “coup” plot.

The president spoke on national TV after police stormed the Supreme Court yesterday and arrested two judges overnight along with his half-brother, former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

There has been increasing tension between Mr Yameen’s government and the judiciary. His declaration followed judges’ decisions to free some of the president’s political rivals jailed on treason and terrorism charges, which he has resisted.