Australia has welcomed the recent Supreme Court order to release all political prisoners.
In a tweet on Friday, Australian Ambassador Bryce Hutchesson said the court’s decision was a landmark step for democracy in the Maldives.
Ambassador Hutchesson said it was important that the rule of law is upheld, and independence of the judiciary and legislature is respected.
Decision by #Maldives Supreme Court requiring release of opposition leaders a landmark step for #democracy in - important that #RuleOfLaw is upheld, and independence of judiciary and legislature is respected
— Bryce Hutchesson (@AusHCSriLanka) February 2, 2018
Supreme Court on Thursday ordered authorities to release nine political prisoners, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, Jumhoree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim, and Adhaalath Party (AP) leader Imran Abdulla.
The court has also nullified the Election Commission (EC)’s decision to unseat 12 lawmakers in parliament.
