Maldives leader Yameen Abdul Gayoom lifts 45-day state of emergency

The president of the Maldives has lifted a 45-day state of emergency he declared last month during political turmoil in the archipelago nation.

President Yameen Abdul Gayoom's office said he lifted the emergency today on the advice of the security service to promote normalcy in the country.

The emergency was declared amid turmoil that followed a court order to release and retry some of Yemeen's political opponents. They were imprisoned after trials that were criticized for alleged violations of due process.

The president's half brother and former dictator, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Justice Ali Hemeed and four lawmakers were arrested during the emergency and accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.

Maldives became a multiparty democracy in 2008.