Noting that a number of parliamentarians have been unlawfully detained, or dismissed from parliament and that a number of opposition leaders have been jailed, former President Mohamed Nasheed has asid that this cannot be how the government “plans to take Maldives into election year”.

He made the comment in a tweet posted on Thursday, noting that January 18 marks six months since the arbitrary detention of Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon.

MP Faris has been in police custody since July 2017, after being arrested in bribery allegations. The Court had ruled to keep him in remand until the investigation and trial into the allegations conclude. He was charged with bribery on 17th August 2017, and is also charged with identity fraud for allegedly using ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)’s flag and logo without permission.

Marking 180 days since Faris’ detention “without a court order or even any evidence of wrongdoing presented in court,” his father and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom tweeted on Sunday that “those responsible for this this outrageous act of injustice will pay for it sooner rather than later”.

“Civil and political rights must be restored and upheld for all,” added the former President.