[JURIST] Authorities in Maldives on Monday brought former president Mohamed Nasheed [JURIST news archive] into court where he was ordered to remain in detention over the arrest of a top judge three years ago. Nasheed was arrested [AP report] Sunday and charged under the country’s anti-terrorism law. At Nasheed’s hearing, a three-judge panel ordered that he be detained and given a three-day time frame to name his defense counsel. The specific anti-terrorism law under which the former president is charged covers not only violent terrorism but also many actions against the nation.

The Maldives judiciary has generated significant controversy over the last two years. In October the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] expressed concern [JURIST report] over the Supreme Court’s prosecution of five members of the Maldives’ Human Rights Commission [official website]. In March the Supreme Court dismissed [JURIST report] the country’s four top election commissioners, giving each a six-month jail sentence and three-year suspension for “disobeying orders.” In November2013 the Supreme Court suspended [JURIST report] the nation’s presidential election for the third time.