Lawyer Hisaan Hussain has said that authorities’ refusal to release jailed opposition leaders as per Thursday’s Supreme Court order is akin to kidnapping.

While the Supreme Court ordered the immediate release of several politicians, Hisaan said those who obstruct its implementation should be held criminally responsible.

She cited Section 533 of the Penal Code which criminalizes obstructing the administration of law or other government functions, and called on Attorney General Mohamed Anil to obey the law.

Responding to the government’s claim that the Supreme Court made the decision without discussing it with the relevant authorities, she noted that the government has been obeying ex parte orders of the Supreme Court until now.

Hisan is in the legal team of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who is one of the political leaders ordered to be released by the Supreme Court.