Qasim's family asks to extend his medical leave

Family of Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim has requested the authorities to extend his medical leave, following doctors' advice that he stay in Singapore for three months, to complete his treatment.

He traveled to Singapore on Wednesday night, not long after the medical board at the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) granted him a 10-day medical leave.

A letter, sent by his son Yaqsan Qasim to MCS with reports from his doctors in Singapore, highlighted that Qasim is currently receiving treatment for a heart condition at Singapore's Paragon Medical Center, adding that doctors have advised for him to undergo a coronary angiogram and angioplasty, detailing the schedules for the said procedures.

He further noted that doctors' have advised for his father to remain in Singapore for three months, as he has to be closely monitored until his condition is stable.

Hence, noting that Qasim can only travel in December, Yaqsan asked for his father's medical leave to be extended.

Criminal Court had, on August 24, sentenced the opposition leader to three years, two months and 12 days in prison, after finding him guilty of bribery. He was sentenced in absentia, as he was hospitalized at the time, after having collapsed at the Court earlier that day.