Criminal Court Wednesday transferred ruling party city councilor arrested over allegations of blackmail to house arrest but banned him from travelling outside the capital Male.
Zaidul Ameen who represents ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) in the Male City Council has reportedly been accused of blackmailing top government officials and was taken into custody on January 13.
He had been held in remand in the police detention facility in Dhoonidhoo island for 15 days before the court transferred him under house arrest for another 15.
Ameen's attorney said his client had been banned from travelling for three months.
Police have refused to divulge the nature of the allegations against Ameen but confirmed the arrest over an "ongoing investigation."
Ameen is an ousted PPM leader Maumoon Abdul Gayoom loyalist and had backed the elder Gayoom after the split in the party.
