Protests against Maldives President Abdulla Yameen have intensified in capital Male and other cities in the last few days.
The Maldives has been in the spit of commotion ever since their Supreme Court ordered the release of former president Mohamed Nasheed and eight other Opposition leaders. Joint opposition against the government has not stopped putting pressure on the government to implement the SC ruling.
Police has arrested three more Members of Parliament (MPs) on Friday, including Abdulla Shahid, Abdullah Riyaz and Abdulla Latheef. So far, six opposition MPs have been arrested.
"For sure, this is direct instruction from him. President Yameen and his government must be treated as a dictator by international community," an ANI report quotes Ali Zahir, a leader of the Adhalat Party.
Reports have it that police attacked family members of the jailed political leaders, going as far as pepper spraying them at close range.
The ongoing unrest in the Maldives has severely affected the tourism sector. Large scale layoffs are taking place as resorts are receiving significant cancellations from tour operators.
A majority of resorts and hotels in the island nation are facing over 40 per cent room cancellations per day, which directly affects the employees.
The situation in the Maldives has deteriorated since February 20, after Maldives Parliament approved the extension of the State of Emergency by 30 days.
This came in a day after President Yameen sought the extension citing threat to national security and the constitutional crisis.