A Maldives court has ordered former president Mohamed Nasheed arrested after he failed to appear for a hearing to face charges that he illegally ordered the arrest of a judge.

Party spokesman Abdul Gafoor confirmed a report on the Haveeru daily's website that a court on Sunday ordered police to produce Nasheed "in court by keeping him in custody" to face charges on Tuesday.

Last week, the Hulhumale Magistrate Court ordered Nasheed to appear at a hearing and not leave the capital, Male, without the court's permission. Nasheed defied both orders.

He was a democracy activist and political prisoner before becoming president in the country's first multiparty election in 2008.

He resigned in February after the judge's arrest triggered widespread protests.