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Ex-Maldivian president sentenced to 13 years in jail

Xinhua, March 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Maldives Criminal Court sentenced former president Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in jail on charges of terrorism Friday evening.

Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said the trial, which lasted less than three weeks, was "blatantly politicized" and was widely criticized in the Maldives and abroad.

MDP spokesman Hamid Abdul Ghafoor said Nasheed was repeatedly denied legal representation and the right to appeal.

His defence witnesses were prevented from taking the stand and prosecution witnesses were routinely coached by the judges and the police, said the spokesman.

Nasheed's legal team resigned earlier this week, saying the court had refused them proper time to prepare a defence.

Nasheed was elected into office in 2008. In February 2012, he was ousted in a coup. Endi