Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen on Thursday lifted the state of Emergency imposed 45 days ago, stating that the situation in the atoll nation had returned to normal.

The President’s office said he lifted the emergency today on the advice of the security service to promote normalcy in the country.

“Upon the advice of the security services and in an effort to promote normalcy, the President has decided to lift the state of Emergency,” Xinhua news agency quoted Yameen’s office as saying.

The emergency was declared last month in February during political turmoil in the archipelago nation.

The emergency was declared amid turmoil that followed a court order to release and retry some of Yemeen’s political opponents. They were imprisoned after trials that were criticized for alleged violations of due process.

The president’s half brother and former dictator, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Justice Ali Hemeed and four lawmakers were arrested during the emergency and accused of conspiring to overthrow the government.

During the 45-day state of Emergency, the government said day-to-day activities of the citizens had not been affected and tourists could continue to visit the island nation.

Meanwhile, several members of Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) detained under Emergency powers were released without charge, the Maldives Independent reported.

MDP Vice President Mohamed Shifaz, former MP Ilyas Labeeb and several council members were arrested in the build-up to the March 16 mass protest after police alleged there were plans to overthrow the government by inciting unrest and violence in the capital.

With constitutional due process rights suspended, the detainees were not informed of charges or taken against them. Their release came ahead of the expiry of the 45-day state of Emergency on Thursday night.

According to the opposition, around 60 people were arrested since the declaration of Emergency on February 5. The Emergency was widely condemned internationally including by the US and India.

(With inputs from agencies)