Opposition leaders in the Maldives including two former heads of state have asked the Supreme Court to remove the president and investigate corruption allegations against him.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said yesterday that the leaders had signed the petition asking the top court to suspend President Abdulla Yameen.

It was filed on Sunday after attempts to topple Yameen through a vote in parliament failed when the president deployed the military, before unleashing a fresh crackdown against dissidents.

Almost all key opposition leaders and a number of ruling party dissidents have either been jailed or gone into exile in the Maldives, denting the atoll nation's popular image as an upmarket holiday paradise.

"The joint opposition petitioned the Supreme Court as the parliament, which has the power to remove a president from office, has ceased to function since President Yameen ordered the military to storm the legislature (early last year)," the MDP said.

The signatories include the country's first democratically elected leader Mohamed Nasheed, who lives in exile since he was jailed on terrorism charges in a case widely seen as politically motivated.

Yameen's half brother and former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has joined key opposition figures ahead of general elections due later this year, also signed.

They accuse Yameen of "unprecedented corruption, including unjust enrichment from appropriation of state properties and funds for personal benefit, for the benefit of his family and political associates," according to the MPD statement.

It was not immediately clear whether the highest court would take up the petition.