Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been transferred to Maafushi jail from Dhoonidhoo.

Lawyer Maumoon Hameed said that the transfer was in violation of Law on Jails and Parole, which are not suspended even in a State of Emergency.

Ministry of Home Affairs had declared that Unit 13 in Maafushi jail is a remand jail and will run under administration of Home Ministry.

Law on Jails and Parole stipulates that different ranks of inmates need to be kept in their designated areas. As such those detained for the duration of trial will need to be kept in a custodial jail. Those detained under a court order, while their cases are to be sent to trial or already in trial, need to be kept in a remand jail.

The former President was arrested during the State of Emergency.