Maldives opposition leader freed

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The leader of the main opposition party in the Maldives has been freed from house arrest.

Mohamed Nasheed, who heads the Maldivian Democratic Party, had spent more than a year in custody.

He still faces charges of terrorism and sedition, but the government says these are likely to be dropped soon.

Mr Nasheed has been a vocal critic of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who has ruled the Indian Ocean archipelago for more than 25 years.

He was accused of using a speech in July 2005 to urge the forcible removal of President Gayoom.

Charges 'to be dropped'

Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed told Reuters news agency that Mr Nasheed was "free to go about his business".

"The charges are still there, but I expect in a month or so that we will review the situation and they will be dropped."

The Maldives government has been under international pressure over its human rights record and says it is slowly implementing democratic reforms.

The authorities and opposition recently reached an agreement under which a number of opposition detainees have been freed.