MALE - Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Monday evening declared a state of emergency amid political crisis in the country.

Yameen officially announced that the Maldives was in a state of emergency for the duration of 15 days starting on Monday night.

The announcement was read by Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor on state television, flanked by Attorney General Mohamed Anil.

Several conditions were placed by the president which were based on the rights preserved for the head of the state under the Maldives Constitution, local media said.

Maldives has been facing days of unrest after the Supreme Court issued a ruling last week to release top opposition political leaders including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.

The court said in a brief statement that they must be freed until fair trials could be conducted without undue influence.

Yameen had earlier Monday written three letters to the Supreme Court explaining the challenges being faced in implementing the court order.