An army officer kicks a tear gas cannister during a clash with the supporters of ousted Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.Reuters
An army officer kicks a tear gas cannister during a clash with the supporters of ousted Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersSupporters of ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed take cover from tear gas and smoke fired by the riot police during a clash in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersOusted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed (yellow) is carried by his supporters during the Maldivian Democratic Party's meeting in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersMaldives' newly appointed President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik speaks during a news conference at the presidential office in Male February 8, 2012. The Maldives, one of the world's most renowned tourist destinations, installed a new president after the man credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean islands resigned, apparently under military pressure following a police mutiny. On Wednesday, just 24 hours after police joined opposition protesters in attacking the military headquarters and seizing the state TV station, the streets of the capital island, Male, were calm as people went to work and children to schoolReutersMaldives' newly appointed President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is seen on a monitor as he speaks during a news conference at the presidential office in Male February 8, 2012. The Maldives, one of the world's most renowned tourist destinations, installed a new president after the man credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean islands resigned, apparently under military pressure following a police mutiny. On Wednesday, just 24 hours after police joined opposition protesters in attacking the military headquarters and seizing the state TV station, the streets of the capital island, Male, were calm as people went to work and children to school.ReutersMaldivian riot police officers stand guard as they block supporters of the ousted Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed during a clash in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersSupporters of ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed march towards the police headquarters during a protest in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersSupporters of ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed cheer as he arrives for the Maldivian Democratic Party's meeting in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.ReutersWomen sit next to plastic barriers used during Tuesday's protests in Male February 8, 2012. The Maldives, one of the world's most renowned tourist destinations, installed a new president after the man credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean islands resigned, apparently under military pressure following a police mutiny. On Wednesday, just 24 hours after police joined opposition protesters in attacking the military headquarters and seizing the state TV station, the streets of the capital island, Male, were calm as people went to work and children to school.ReutersMaldives soldiers raise their hands as they shout slogans in Male February 7, 2012. Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, widely credited with bringing democracy to the hideaway resort islands, resigned on Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests erupted into a police mutiny and what an aide said amounted to a coup.ReutersTeargas clouds are seen during a clash between Maldives soldiers and supporters of opposition parties and police in Male February 7, 2012. President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, widely credited with bringing democracy to the hideaway resort islands, resigned on Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests erupted into a police mutiny and what an aide said amounted to a coup.ReutersSupporters of opposition parties hold Maldives national flags as they celebrate after Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed resigned, in Male February 7, 2012. Nasheed, widely credited with bringing democracy to the hideaway resort islands, resigned on Tuesday after weeks of opposition protests erupted into a police mutiny and what an aide said amounted to a coup.ReutersA supporter of ousted Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed throws a bottle at riot police officers during a clash in Male February 8, 2012. The ousted president of the Maldives, credited with bringing democracy to the Indian Ocean island resort, said on Wednesday he was forced out of power at gunpoint, prompting clashes between police and angry supporters.Reuters
The island nation of Maldives, located in the Indian Ocean, has been in the news over the past few days, for the violent clashes and rioting that followed the resignation of the country's President, Mohamed Nasheed.
According to statements from the country's ruling party, President Nasheed was the victim of a coup and forced to resign at gunpoint.
News of his resignation, over reports of disagreements with the country's judiciary and the Army, was followed by clashes between protestors, in the capital city of Male.
The most recent news suggests that a criminal court in the Maldives has issued arrest warrants for both Nasheed and his former Defence Minister.
Meanwhile check out these photographs of the turmoil in the Maldives...
