Abdulla Yameen's nephew arrested amid challenge to rule

Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's nephew has been arrested amid renewed political unrest in the Indian Ocean nation after members of the president's family turned against him, criticising authoritarian reversals under his rule.

Faris Maumoon was arrested on Tuesday in the capital Male on charges of bribery, according to court documents. A politician who defected to the opposition, Faris has been leading an effort to unseat Yameen's ally, speaker of parliament Abdulla Maseeh, who has been accused of ignoring allegations of corruption, mismanagement and rights abuses.

"The charges against Faris are clearly false," said Eva Abdulla, an opposition politician. "Coming just four days before the vote to impeach the speaker, it marks the beginning of a campaign to reduce opposition votes by arresting and jailing lawmakers."