The Maldives in the news

Maldives MP stabbed to death outside his home

A member of the Maldives parliament has been stabbed to death near his home.

Dr Afrasheem Ali - whose party was a member of the governing coalition in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation - was attacked early on Tuesday.

His murder comes at a time of political turmoil. On Monday, the trial of the former president had to be postponed after he defied a court order and left the capital by boat.

Police say they are yet to establish a motive for the killing.

President Mohamed Waheed called it a "remorseless and foul act" and the president's media secretary sent out a text describing the murdered MP as the "strongest critic" of the ex-President, Mohamed Nasheed.

Diplomatic sources said, however, that they did not know of any animosity between Mr Nasheed and the victim, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Male.

The Maldives is deeply politically polarised and police commissioner Abdullah Riyaz said no one should blame anyone else and all should show restraint.

Dr Ali was found dead by his wife outside their block of flats, having been stabbed four times in the back of the head and with wounds to his chest and neck.

Dr Afrasheem belonged to the party of another former President, Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom, who ruled the Maldives for 30 years from 1978.

Mr Nasheed, who defeated Mr Gayoon in the country's first democratic elections, says charges against him relating to alleged abuse of power are politically motivated.

His supporters hail him as a reformist moderate but his critics say he overreached his powers while in office.