The period granted to Maamigili Constituency MP Qasim Ibrahim for his medical treatment cannot be extended, says Maldives Correctional Service (MCS).
MP Qasim was authorized medical leave for his cardiac conditions following Criminal Court verdict on him on attempted bribery charges. The Parliamentarian, who is also the leader of opposition aligned Jumhooree Party, was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days. MCS had authorized a 10-day period for his medical treatment, which will expire on Saturday.
Defense and family of MP Qasim had forwarded medical documents from the doctors in Singapore which had advised him to undergo an angioplasty and an angiogram. The documents had also said the Parliamentarian can travel after December. Defense and family had requested MCS to extend the medical leave period to December.
In a letter sent to MCS, Qasim’s son Yagshan Qasim said that his father was undergoing treatment at Singapore’s Paragon Medical Center’s Heart, Stroke and Cancer wing. The letter noted that MP Qasim had to undergo a coronary angiogram and coronary angioplasty. He is to undergo the procedures on September 15, in Singapore’s Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
The letter said MP Qasim needed to be under medical observation until his condition stabilizes, which generally required three months.
Therefore, the letter had requested to extend medical leave until that period.
However, the letter sent by MCS to his family, had refused to authorize an extension as requested.
MP Qasim was seeking treatment, when Criminal Court sentenced him in absentia on August 24th. He was charged on the attempted bribery of his fellow Parliamentarians in connection to the no confidence motion on Parliament Speaker Abdullah Maseeh.
