Former President Maumoon calls to free Nazim

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has called on authorities to free jailed former Defense Minister Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim.

He made the call in a statement released condemning the former Minister’s 1000 days spent in jail on charges of weapons possession. In the statement, released by his office, President Maumoon said that Nazim’s jail sentence was devoid of a free and impartial trial and investigation and 'this was crystal clear' to everyone.

The statement noted there were no connections between the pistol allegedly found in Colonel Nazim’s residence and Nazim’s DNA and fingerprints. It also noted that former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor had sent a letter to authorities on June 20th, 2017, vouching for Colonel Nazim’s innocence.

Adeeb claimed Nazim had no knowledge of the pistol and bullets that were discovered in his residence. The investigation into the pistol did not reveal fingerprints of either Nazim or any of his family members. Police later said the fingerprints on the pistol were Adeeb’s.

Adeeb made these claims in a letter he sent to Supreme Court, claiming he had evidence that would acquit Nazim of the charges and that he knew those actually behind the crime. He further said he was ready to testify in a court of law.

The statement from the former President said United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) had cited several issues with the investigation and trial against Nazim. President Maumoon reiterated the call made by UNWGAD to immediately release Nazim and pay reparations for the time spent behind bars.

President Maumoon had also called on authorities to release those serving jail terms and house arrest without a free and fair trial.