Colombo:
A Commonwealth-backed investigation in the Maldives on Thursday dismissed claims that a coup forced Mohamed Nasheed to step down as President in February.
The panel's report said Nasheed, who alleged he was ousted by the army and police, had resigned voluntarily -- a conclusion set to anger Mr Nasheed's supporters who have regularly clashed with rival activists in the capital Male.
The five-member Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) said the transfer of power on February 7 was "legal and constitutional".
"The resignation of President Nasheed was voluntary and of his own free will," it said in a 62-page report published on its website. "It was not caused by any illegal coercion or intimidation."
Mr Nasheed, who became the atoll nation's first democratically elected leader in 2008, has refused to recognise the new government and insisted that he was overthrown in a coup backed by the military and police.
He nominated one of the CoNI panel's members, who resigned on Wednesday night saying that it had ignored vital evidence including photographs and videos.
The panel's report said Nasheed, who alleged he was ousted by the army and police, had resigned voluntarily -- a conclusion set to anger Mr Nasheed's supporters who have regularly clashed with rival activists in the capital Male.
The five-member Commission of National Inquiry (CoNI) said the transfer of power on February 7 was "legal and constitutional".
"The resignation of President Nasheed was voluntary and of his own free will," it said in a 62-page report published on its website. "It was not caused by any illegal coercion or intimidation."
Mr Nasheed, who became the atoll nation's first democratically elected leader in 2008, has refused to recognise the new government and insisted that he was overthrown in a coup backed by the military and police.
He nominated one of the CoNI panel's members, who resigned on Wednesday night saying that it had ignored vital evidence including photographs and videos.
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