<p>Ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed today alleged that he was in danger of being assassinated by al-Qaeda agents, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In a statement, Nasheed's office said that two al-Qaeda agents are currently in Male, plotting an attack on him.<br /><br />The statement said the office has requested the defence ministry's intelligence to launch an investigation into the matter and to share findings with the office.<br /><br />Rumours of a plot to assassinate Nasheed began circulating in Male in April as well, Haveeru newspaper reported on its website.<br /><br />Nasheed's office had quoted reports from his supporters that foreign mercenaries had been hired to kill the ex-president.<br /><br />The reports said a sniper rifle had been smuggled in and two foreign assassins were in the country for the assassination.<br /><br />Maldives is facing political tension over twice scuttled presidential elections and doubts over fresh polls scheduled for November 9.<br /><br />Nasheed, 46, who was toppled 20 months ago, had won the first round of elections on September 7 with 45 per cent of the popular vote, which should have led to a second-round run-off.<br /><br />However, the country's highest court annulled those results and called fresh elections which were due to open on October 19, but police stopped that vote going ahead citing disputed procedural flaws.<br /><br />If no candidate gets 50 per cent at the rescheduled polls on November 9, a runoff is due on November 16. Candidates could still scuttle the election by refusing to endorse the voter list which happened on October 19.</p>
<p>Ousted Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed today alleged that he was in danger of being assassinated by al-Qaeda agents, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.<br /><br /></p>.<p>In a statement, Nasheed's office said that two al-Qaeda agents are currently in Male, plotting an attack on him.<br /><br />The statement said the office has requested the defence ministry's intelligence to launch an investigation into the matter and to share findings with the office.<br /><br />Rumours of a plot to assassinate Nasheed began circulating in Male in April as well, Haveeru newspaper reported on its website.<br /><br />Nasheed's office had quoted reports from his supporters that foreign mercenaries had been hired to kill the ex-president.<br /><br />The reports said a sniper rifle had been smuggled in and two foreign assassins were in the country for the assassination.<br /><br />Maldives is facing political tension over twice scuttled presidential elections and doubts over fresh polls scheduled for November 9.<br /><br />Nasheed, 46, who was toppled 20 months ago, had won the first round of elections on September 7 with 45 per cent of the popular vote, which should have led to a second-round run-off.<br /><br />However, the country's highest court annulled those results and called fresh elections which were due to open on October 19, but police stopped that vote going ahead citing disputed procedural flaws.<br /><br />If no candidate gets 50 per cent at the rescheduled polls on November 9, a runoff is due on November 16. Candidates could still scuttle the election by refusing to endorse the voter list which happened on October 19.</p>