The Maldives Correctional Services has abided by Monday’s court order to have MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon relieved from the remand sentence against him and his incarceration.
The parliamentarian’s release comes less than 12 hours after the Criminal Court order, which refers to Thursday night’s Supreme Court ruling to have several ‘political prisoners’ released from custody.
Faris had on Monday filed a case of unlawful incarcerations and ones against senior police officials including police commissioner Abdulla Nawaz, chief inspector of police Ahmed Shareef, Head Superintendent of the Police Custodial Department Ahmed Nafiz and Dhoonidhoo Custodial Incharge Abdul Raheem.
Faris is among a total of nine individuals whom the apex court declared were subject to unfair judicial proceedings and therefore cannot be kept in prison.
The court has asked that they be immediately released, with another order to ensure those that delay the process be liable for prosecution.
These individuals also include former President Mohamed Nasheed and two of his fellow opposition leaders, along with former members of the ministerial cabinet and of the judiciary.
MP Faris was initially arrested last July on allegations of attempting to bribe lawmakers ahead of an important motion in parliament, one to impeach speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
The parliamentarian was remanded until sentencing before being released after more than six months in prison on January 25th, this year.
He was arrested against just hours after, on allegations of conspiring with other parliamentarians to overthrow the government. His father, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was arrested late Monday night.
