A Luxurious Jail Awaits Maldives President Nasheed For Next 13 Years
Maldives former president Mohammed Nasheed is all set to enjoy his stay in 13-year jail term in a furnished air-conditioned prison apartment with all modern facilities. The former president found himself convicted under anti-terrorism laws for illegally imprisoning and detaining a former Chief Justice.
Nasheed was president of the Mauritian Republic when this took place in 2012. He was tried by a court, found guilty and sentenced to 13 years of imprisonment by the court. Nasheed is supposed to spend the next 13 years in a 264 square feet well furnished prison apartment complete with an AC, TV, VCD player and a 1087 square feet of garden.
Meanwhile, Nasheed's supporters working for the Maldivian Democratic Party are all set to launch a demonstration against the former president's imprisonment. They are joined by the international community in their cause. Countries like India, US and the European Union have conveyed concern over Nasheed's imprisonment. They have appealed to the Maldivian government not to resort to unconstitutional measures in resolving the crisis.
The former Maldivian president was virtually dragged before legal authorities for his trial. This took place when he failed to turn up before the court despite the summons it issued. Nasheed wanted the trial to be open to the public. But the court turned down Nasheed’s plea. The public was not supposed to be an audience during the trial.
Nasheed’s supporters even took to the streets to protest against his conviction stressing on his innocence. Nasheed’s conviction is to put him in a tough spot where he cannot contest the next elections in 2018.
