Dissidents have lobbied for democratic reform in the Maldives

Mohamed Nasheed who leads the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was arrested almost two weeks ago during a pro-democracy rally in the capital.

He has been accused of using a speech in July to urge the forcible removal of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Mr Nasheed has been a vocal critic of President Gayoom who has ruled the country for more than 25 years.

The government spokesman said he could face life in jail.

Democracy pressure

Originally, the government said it had detained Mr Nasheed for his own safety when a rally marking a crackdown against reformists last year turned into clashes with police.

About 100 other people are still being held.

"The charges relate to offences against the state and terrorism," the spokesman Mohamed Shareef said.

If he was such a terrorist, why was he left free for such a long while Mohamed Latheef MDP spokesman

"He said that unless the president holds elections or steps down, he will have to face the consequences... a violent overthrow," Reuters news agency quoted the spokesman as saying.

The MDP has been calling for the president to step down and for multi-party elections on the islands.

Its spokesman, Mohamed Latheef, said the charges against Mr Nasheed were a tactic to eliminate the party as a political opponent because it was so popular.

"If he was such a terrorist, why was he left free for such a long while? he said.

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has ruled since 1978

"[President] Gayoom knows his political survival is at stake and wants to annihilate any opposition."

The Maldives government says it is slowly implementing reforms - in early June it allowed political parties which had been effectively banned under the constitution.

A European Union fact-finding mission has been sent out in response to the developments.

President Gayoom, who came to power in 1978, is Asia's longest-serving leader and has been accused by critics of running an autocratic regime.