Maldives’ ex-president says he was forced out at gunpoint

A coup d’etat did indeed take place in the Maldives, forcing its leader to resign, according to the new ex-President Mohamed Nasheed.

The Indian Ocean resort is still reeling from Tuesday’s events as a row rages over what lay behind them.

Nasheed says members of the security forces made him step down at gunpoint.

Known for his efforts to protect the low-lying islands from climate change, he was their first democratically-elected president. But his order to arrest a top judge last month sparked opposition protests, culminating in a police mutiny.

Nasheed suspects the man sworn-in to replace him was aware of the plot. But former Vice President Waheed Hassan denies such claims, saying he now intends to form a national unity government.

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