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Maldivian gov't constructs new jail cell for ex-president

Xinhua, March 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Maldivian government has assured it will make the holding cell of former President Mohamed Nasheed "comfortable" during his 13 year prison sentence, local media reported on Tuesday.

Former President Nasheed will have a 264-square foot furnished "prison apartment" in Maafushi jail with air-conditioning, a sitting room, a television and VCD player, Home Minister Umar Naseer has said.

Naseer revealed in a tweet this morning that the opposition leader would also have a 1,087-square foot garden and would be able to "live with other inmate-friends," reported local media outlet Minivan. "The government guarantees the safety, welfare, and protection of former [President] Nasheed while in custody," Naseer tweeted last night.

"He'll be treated with respect and dignity."

Following the Criminal Court sentencing Nasheed to 13 years in jail last Friday, Naseer said he had asked police to hold the former president in Dhoonidhoo detention centre "until a special unit is constructed in Maafushi prison."

Nasheed was found guilty on terrorism charges over the January 2012 military detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed.

However, the office of former President Nasheed released a statement Tuesday claiming the cell being prepared to house the opposition leader was in an area of the jail deemed unfit for human habitation.

"The use of the cell being prepared in Maafushi jail was discontinued after the Human Rights Commission of Maldives and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent determined in 2009 that it was unfit to hold people,"said the statement.

The Criminal Court had on Friday sentenced opposition leader and former President Nasheed to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges.

On the 22 February, the Police had apprehended Nasheed at his home and his trial was hurriedly rushed through without adequate legal representation, charge his lawyers.

The international community had also expressed their concerns over how hastened the trials were and have called on the government to ensure that Nasheed's constitutional rights are protected during the appeal process. Endi