Correctional service has refused to meet with Joint Opposition members to discuss the alleged abuse of political prisoners.

After party members arrived at the Ghaazee building to meet senior correctional service officials, they were informed that they have to make an appointment, but did not say when the meeting would be scheduled.

Speaking to the press outside, Mohamed Shifaz, the vice president of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said the correctional service has been negligent towards the detainees, and that they will work to make authorities accountable.

MDP’s parliamentary group member Imthiyaz Fahmy said that the abuse towards political prisoners tend to be worse than convicted criminals. He also said the two jailed Supreme Court justices were jailed inhumanely and warned that authorities might become more abusive towards ordinary citizens.

Adhaalath Party (AP)’s vice president Ali Zahir said that the jailing of the two justices were unconstitutional and expressed concern that the correctional service treats detainees charged with the same crime differently.

Senior members of MDP, AP, and Jumhoree Party (JP) had gone to meet with correctional service officials.