Maldives opposition terror charge

President Gayoom is Asia's longest-serving leader

The Maldives has charged the head of the main opposition party with terrorism for allegedly inciting violence against the president.

Mohammed Nasheed is accused of saying President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom would face "a violent overthrow" unless he held elections or stepped down.

Mr Nasheed, leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), was arrested two weeks ago at a pro-democracy rally.

His party condemned the charges as "ridiculous" and politically-motivated.

'Outrageous'

"The charges relate to offences against the state and terrorism," chief government spokesman, Mohammed Shareef, told the Reuters news agency.

"He said that unless the president holds elections or steps down, he will have to face the consequences... a violent overthrow," said Mr Shareef.

Gayoom knows his political survival is at stake and wants to annihilate any opposition Mohamed Latheef, MDP spokesman

He said the charges carried anything from two years to life imprisonment.

At the time of his arrest at the 12 August rally in the capital Male, officials said Mr Nasheed had been held for his own safety and to help disperse a 600-strong crowd.

Around 100 others are also still in custody.

Now, after almost a fortnight in detention, Mr Nasheed has been charged with terrorism and sedition over a speech he made in July.

"This is outrageous," said MDP spokesman, Mohammed Latheef, who lives in self-imposed exile in Sri Lanka.

"Gayoom knows his political survival is at stake and wants to annihilate any opposition."

Mr Nasheed has been a fierce critic of Mr Gayoom, who has ruled the country for more than 25 years and is Asia's longest serving leader.

In June, parliament unanimously voted to back plans to give the nation its first multi-party democracy.

Political parties can now register and fight elections for the first time in the 300,000-strong Indian Ocean nation.