Maldives ex-leader in India embassy amid arrest threat

COLOMBO (AFP) - Former Maldivian president Mohamed Nasheed took refuge inside the Indian High Commission in the capital Male Wednesday after a magistrate ordered his arrest, party officials said.

Mohamed Nasheed went into the diplomatic compound around midday and was likely to remain until a hearing in a higher court which could decide to quash the warrant, party spokesman Shauna Aminath told AFP.

"We have appealed against the arrest warrant and we expect a decision shortly," Ms Aminath said when contacted by telephone. "He is inside the High Commission with some MPs" from his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

There was no immediate comment from the Indian authorities.