Male, Feb 13 (IANS): Mohamed Nasheed, who was forced to step down as president of Maldives last year, took refuge at the Indian High Commission here Tuesday after a court issued an arrest order for his failing to attend a hearing in the illegal detention of a judge.

"Mindful of my own security and stability in the Indian Ocean, I have taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Maldives," tweeted Maldivian opposition leader Nasheed.

A large number of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) supporters gathered on hearing the news, reported sun.mv online news portal

Nasheed entered the Indian High Commission as the Hulhumal court issued an arrest order for Nasheed to be brought to court after he failed to attend the scheduled hearing over last year's detention of Criminal Court chief judge Abdulla Mohamed.

A sense of uncertainty has gripped the Maldives ever since Nasheed resigned Feb 7 last year followed what he alleged was a coup. Mohammed Waheed Hassan succeeded him.

Nasheed faced protests over his decision to sack Abdulla Mohamed.

Nasheed later claimed that he was forced to quit at gun-point and urged the international community to help restore "democracy" in the South Asian archipelago.