Maldivian government denies India deal over Nasheed
Opposition claims India brokered agreement to allow former president to resume political work
The Maldivian government has denied any deal to allow former president Mohamed Nasheed to end his refuge at the Indian embassy in the capital and resume election campaigning without fear of arrest.
Presidential spokesman Abbas Riaz said Nasheed walked out of the embassy on Saturday afternoon of his own will and there was no agreement with an Indian mediator who rushed to the Maldives last week to resolve a tense standoff.
"There is no deal, absolutely no deal with the Indians or anyone else," Riaz said, in the government's first reaction to Nasheed leaving the embassy to resume his political work.
Nasheed, 45, sought refuge at the embassy on February 13, straining ties between regional power India and its small neighbour Maldives, after an arrest warrant was issued following his failure to attend court.
He says his trial is a "politically motivated" attempt to disqualify him from an election due on September 7, a charge denied by the government.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said Nasheed was meeting visiting Western diplomats yesterday and would start house-to-house campaigning from today.
"He is back on the campaign trail," MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said. "India arranged a deal to give political space for Nasheed to contest ... but still there is a risk [of arrest]." We don't trust this rogue regime."