Jailed ex-Maldivian President moved into house arrest for health check

Maldivian opposition party Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said on Monday that jailed former Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed, has been transferred from prison to house arrest.‎

MDP led by Nasheed said its leader, who was serving a 13 year jail term, was moved to his home in Male.

According to local media, President Abdulla Yameen authorised Nasheed’s transfer to house arrest after seeking advice from the Attorney General.

Tourism Minister, Ahmed Adeeb, told newsmen that Home Minister, Umar Naseer, was reluctant to approve the transfer but the president made the transfer decision.

An official from the Maldives Corrections Service (MCS) told newsmen that Nasheed was transferred to house arrest for a health check.

“The health check recommended by the doctor will take three days after which Nasheed would be taken back to the Maafushi prison”, the official said.

Adeeb said the duration of Nasheed’s house arrest would depend on the doctor’s advice.

Arrested in February, Nasheed was found guilty of terrorism over the detention of a judge during his tenure as president and was sentenced to 13 years in jail in March.