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Maldives demands respect for ruling on ex-president

Xinhua, March 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Maldives President Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Sunday sought respect for a decision taken by a local court to sentence former President Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in jail.

The president also noted that Nasheed has a constitutionally guaranteed right of appeal, should he choose to do so, in line with Maldivian laws.

In a statement issued by the President's Office, Yameen said that the government calls on its international partners to engage constructively, based on mutual respect and dialogue in consolidating and strengthening democratic values and institutions in the country. "The government remains steadfast in ensuring the separation of powers as stipulated under the Maldivian Constitution and upholding the rule of law in the country," President Yameen said.

On Friday, the Maldives Criminal Court sentenced former president Mohamed Nasheed to 13 years in jail on charges of terrorism.

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 had said that 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 last 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