Seven hours have lapsed since the Supreme Court issued the ruling to free nine political prisoners, with authorities having failed to take action on it.

Supreme Court ruling, backed by the five Justices on the bench, states that former President Mohamed Nasheed, Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim, former Defense Minister Colonel (Rtd.) Mohamed Nazim, Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdullah, former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, former Prosecutor General Muhthaaz Muhsin, Dhiggaru Constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon, Judge Ahmed Nihan and businessman Hamid Ismail must be released.

Maldives Police Service (MPS), said they will implement the Supreme Court verdict, as evident from the statement released hours after the court’s verdict.

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Areef was dismissed on Thursday, with Assistant Commissioner of Police Abdullah Nawaz stating that they were completing the procedures to implement the ruling, though he refused to elaborate on the measures.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudhee is now in charge of running MPS.