Maldives opposition leader freed

The leader of the main opposition party in the Maldives has been freed from house arrest. Mohamed Nasheed, who heads the Maldivian Democratic Party, had spent more than a year in custody. He still faces charges of terrorism and sedition, but the government says these are likely to be dropped soon

Mr Nasheed has been a vocal critic of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who has ruled the Indian Ocean archipelago for more than 25 years.

He was accused of using a speech in July 2005 to urge the forcible removal of President Gayoom. READ MORE