President Maumoon calls for Azim’s release

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom has called on authorities to free opposition Maldivian United Opposition (MUO) Shadow Cabinet Minister Adam Azim.

Azim has been given six days as remand.

In a tweet posted Thursday evening, the former President said that freedom of expression is a right guaranteed by the Constitution and to free Azim.

Azim is brother to former Defense Minister Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim, who has been jailed for 11 years on terror charges. Azim was arrested on allegations of organizing a coup, create mistrust and hate against the judiciary and spread false information in public. It also said that Azim was at a position where he could tamper evidence and posed a significant risk to the public.

Azim was first taken to Atholhuvehi Detention Centre. Police media official reported that Azim had been placed in Police custody in connection to a case under investigation, but refused to divulge additional details.