Male, Jan 21 (IANS): The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives Saturday expressed concern over the turmoil in the country and condemned the secret detention of Chief Judge of the Criminal Court and arrests of two opposition party members by police.

"The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives voices concern and condemns ongoing acts calling them infringement of fundamental rights of citizens and actions that could weaken the rule of law in the country," the commission stated on its website Saturday.

The commission also called upon "the president, defence forces and the Ministry of Home Affairs to take immediate remedial action to address the issue".

In a letter to Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed, the commission noted that the present course of action by state authorities was gravely undermining the public confidence in the state's ability to respect, protect and fulfil constitutional rights.

On Jan 12, Maldives Police Services summoned and took into custody some opposition figures who were accused of making "baseless accusations" against the government.

On Jan 16, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed ordered immediate release of Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, the deputy leader of an opposition party who was in police custody at that time.

Later that night, Judge Abdulla Mohamed, earlier accused of ethical misconduct, was summoned by police and arrested. He was later known to be in the custody of the Maldives National Defence Force at a military training facility.