Correctional Services says sickly opposition leader is a fugitive
MCS’s media official told RaajjeMV on Tuesday that the service believes it has provided Qasim with adequate time for treatment
Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim speaking to the press
The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has said that they consider Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahm’s failure to present himself after medical leave abroad as an attempt to flee.
MCS’s media official told RaajjeMV on Tuesday that the service believes it has provided Qasim with adequate time for treatment and that he must return to incarceration.
The MCS has enlisted the aid of the police to apprehend Qasim and bring him into the country.
Qasim’s lawyers said that the airline had refused to allow him to travel on the grounds of his medical state.
Further, Qasim has scheduled an EP (Electrophysiology) study for October 19th at the Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital.
After several delays, the correctional services had granted Qasim a 10-day period for medical leave on 6th September. Prior to this, the Home Minister had even suggested that Qasim bring in doctors to treat him.
The 10-day period was extended on September 13th, and again on 26th September. Qasim was asked to return to the country by 2nd October.
Qasim’s medical condition requires further diagnosis and potentially urgent surgery, according to his doctors. They had then said that any delay in treatment could pose risks to his life.
Qasim was sentenced to three years, two months, and 12 days in prison over the bribery allegations made against him under Section 510 of the Penal Code – on 'bribery and official misconduct' – claiming that he had attempted to influence the authority of a public official.
