The former president of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed has taken refuge inside the country's Indian embassy after a local magistrate ordered his arrest.
Riot police barricaded the streets around the embassy as Nasheed's supporters gathered.
A former pro-democracy campaigner, Mr Nasheed was ousted from government by a police and security force mutiny and violent demonstrations.
Tweeting from the diplomatic compound, Mr Nasheed said:
"Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives."
An arrest warrant was issue by a local magistrate's court after Mr Nasheed failed to appear for a hearing.
Supporters of the former president believe that the trial is an attempt to prevent him from leading the Maldivian Democratic Party into upcoming elections.
See here for full report on the Telegraph.
