Army Seizes Power: State of Emergency Declared

Malatian army personnel had set up roadblocks and checkpoints throughout Malatia.

The Malatian Army moved to seize power in Malatia, arresting all politicians and members of the Republic National Assembly.

The army's move came after the resent mass arrests of many former political leaders  and ex military commanders.

The situation in Malatia remains unclear.  It is not known if the coup was in support of President Xitin, or an attempt by the Malatian military to remove him from power.

The coup unfolded in the early hours of this morning when hundreds of Malatian troops began setting up roadblocks and fortifications around the National Assembly building in central Maltia, the capital city of Malatia. 

Reports then came in that civilian ministers in the current Malatian government and members of the Republic National Assembly are being detained in their homes by men with military uniform. Police officers guarding the ministers were disarmed. 

It was reported that the chairman of the Republic National Assembly was arrested at his home and was taken to an undisclosed location by Malatian army personnel.  Members of the Assembly had recently attacked President Xitin's direction to arrest former political and military leaders. 

The only two TV stations and several radio stations throughout the country have been shut. Internet providers in Malatia were also taken over by Malatian army personnel, with internet traffic being shut down. 

At 8 am this morning, the National Radio began to broadcast several announcements from the Army Headquarters. The announcement claimed that members of the only political party in Malatia had been working against the military and President Xitin. To ensure the stability and security of Malatia , the broadcast stated that members of all political party would be under detention.

A State of Emergency has also been declared for one year. It allows the military to control the government and all TV and Radio stations across the country.

President Xitin himself has not been seen or heard in public, although tanks and armoured vehicles were seen around the Presidential Palace in the outskirt of Maltia. 

The international airport in Maltia had been closed, and all flights to the city had been diverted to Suvatown, the capital of the Kingdom of Suva. However, land crossings between Malatia and other Bricks states are still opened. Residents of Suva and Castonia are able to enter Malatia at this time.

The Non-Aggression Royalists Treaty Organisation (NARTO), has expressed concerns over the latest development in Malatia. NARTO issued a statement, reminding Malatia to abide by the peace agreement signed at the end of the last regional war.