Officers of Special Operations (SO) of Maldives Police Service (MPS) has taken over the security of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.

Adeeb, who was sentenced to 33 years in prison, is serving his sentence in the prison in Dhoonidhoo island in Kaafu Atoll, against procedures of Maldives Correctional Service (MCS). He was transferred to Dhoonidhoo under a special permit from Home Ministry.

Trusted sources reported to RaajjeMV that from last Thursday, SO officers had taken over security of the cell. The source also reported that the officers stationed are the latest recruits to the branch of MPS.

The latest changes to security for the former VP came after a raid on his cell last week. A team from MPS’ Forensics Department had raided the cell on suspicion that Adeeb had concealed a mobile phone. MPS alleged that Adeeb had used the said mobile phone to issue instructions to various individuals over the issue of his medical release.

MPS Spokesperson Ahmed Shifan refused to issue a comment over the issue.

Adeeb, the youngest VP of the nation, is still under trial on multiple charges. Criminal Court is still hearing cases on him regarding hiring a sniper to assassinate President Abdullah Yameen, discovery of a weapons cache in Himbalhidhoo island and graft cases involving state operated Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). Two additional charges were raised on him recently, for allegedly having bribed officers of MPS. Trials on the latest two charges are to begin.

Adeeb was arrested on October 2015. Since his incarceration, Adeeb had faced several health complications including internal cysts, glaucoma and kidney stones. His doctors had warned that his life was in risk, recommending that he should undergo treatment abroad.

In spite of the many appeals and requests the family and defense had filed over his release, the state had refused to grant him medical leave. Authorities had said that Adeeb was a flight risk; if allowed to flee, then the state would have no way to recover the funds Adeeb had grafted.

Opposition leaders such as former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mohamed Nasheed, Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim and many citizens have called on the Government to issue medical leave for the former VP.