Imprisoning someone without a conviction is the greatest injustice that can be inflicted, says Kendhoo MP and lawyer Ali Hussain.

He said this at a rally held at opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s main office on Monday night.

At the rally, MP Hussain said that the arrested politicians, judges, and former senior police officers are in jail for the sake of the citizens.

He criticized people who believe that rights of prisoners can be taken away, saying that people jailed without a conviction should be treated with dignity.

Imprisoning people just on the basis of an accusation is not valid according to Islamic law, he said, adding that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and judges were put in jail for political purposes.

He also condemned the trials against the detainees as being against legal procedures, saying that any legal action taken against someone who was jailed illegally is invalid.

MP Hussain said that the first step to establishing justice in the country is to hold open trials so that lies and truth can be distinguished.