JP leader's medical leave extended

Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) has extended Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim's medical leave, by an additional five days.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, media officer at the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) said that Qasim's medical leave has been extended, as requested by his family.

Noting that the family had sent in a letter, requesting to extend his medical leave, MCS' media officer said that the additional five days were given, after analyzing the documents from his doctors in Singapore.

MCS had previously said that Qasim's medical leave cannot be extended. However, Jumhooree Party officials said that the airline refused to allow Qasim to fly as they "do not want to take the risk". The party said that doctors have refused to give permission for him to travel.

Convicted of bribery charges, the Maamigilli constituency MP was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days in prison in late August. He was sentenced in absentia, in a hearing held late at night, as he was admitted in Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) during the sentencing.

While his medical leave expires on Tuesday, he was initially granted a 10-day leave on the 6th of September. The leave was extended by an additional 10 days, after the family informed authorities that Qasim was required to undergo surgeries.

The family also noted that doctors had advised for him to stay in Singapore for three months, as his condition had to be monitored.

The decision to convict Qasim, while admitted in hospital, drew criticism from the both the public and the international community.