Ex-President Maumoon's family appeals for house arrest transfer

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's family has appealed the government to transfer him from Dhoonidhoo island prison to house arrest before he faces life-threatening repercussions.

Gayoom had previously appealed to the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) via letter to consider his transfer to house arrest in order to minimize the chances of life-threatening ailments he may face while behind bars, given his health condition.

Former first lady and Gayoom's wife Nasreena Ibrahim had even met with senior members of the HRCM on the 26th of April to discuss the letter filed by her husband.

The first lady had of late sent another letter addressed to the commission, inquiring whether they had taken any steps following the discussions of their previous meeting on Wednesday.

She also highlighted that appeals have been made to consider her husband's transfer to house arrest at Maldives Police Service (MPS) and at the Criminal Court.

However, presiding Judge Ahmed Hailam speaking in the preliminary hearing held on Sunday in the terrorism trial against Gayoom said that the appeal cannot be granted, since special procedures are being followed after Gayoom's physical fitness was last reviewed.

Gayoom had said in the court hearing that he has been behind bars for some time now and that he may face life-threatening repercussions while in solitary confinement, adding that there will be noone to come to his aid if suffers a major ailment.

The former president had presented the authorities with his medical documents as well.

While Gayoom's family continues their efforts to influence the state to transfer him to house arrest given his ailing health, his half-brother and incumbent President Yameen Abdul Gayoom had said on Tuesday night, that current detainees cannot be transferred to house arrest through the court and that they are being kept in confinement because they might tamper with evidence.