Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s health condition could worsen at any minute while in jail, say his family and friends.

The court refused to transfer the former president to house arrest despite his ill health and incumbent President Abdulla Yameen, his half-brother, has said that the court does not even have the power to do so. Some have taken this statement as a threat to courts to not transfer Maumoon to his home.

Maumoon’s lawyers have noted that his health had deteriorated further on May 2nd. Lawyer Mohamed Fisal said that since then, ENT specialists have recommended that people stay by his side as it is likely that Maumoon might fall unconscious.

Maumoon’s family has provided medical documents to authorities showing that he is suffering from Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) for which he was last treated by an ENT specialist at IGMH in December.

Before being jailed, his wife and former First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim had helped him with BPPV, which is a disorder arising from a problem in the inner ear that causes problems with balance in the sufferer. It can occur with old age.

His friends and family have been urging authorities to transfer him to house arrest so that he can be properly looked after.

Maumoon is being charged with terrorism for allegedly conspiring to overthrow the government and has been remanded for the remainder of his trial.