State authorities have on Monday night revealed that it had mistakenly told Maldives’ detained former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s family that his visitation and phone call rights have been slashed.
Maumoon’s lawyer, and nephew, Maumoon Hameed said police informed the family of such before retracting the notice in another that was sent ‘some time later’.
While the family was told that conjugal visits and phone calls have been suspended until 28th May, Maumoon’s wife, and Maldives’ longstanding first lady, Nasreena Ibrahim had reportedly called a number of institutions to clarify as to why the decision had been made.
The police attested that informing the family of such was a mistake in fact, conveyed to them by the Maldives Correctional Service. Police have said that the family must re-submit forms to request conjugal visits.
The former president is facing charges of bribery and terrorism for ‘conspiring to overthrow a legally elected government’. The last hearing in the matter was cancelled due to ill health.
On Friday, he was brought to capital city Malé to see an ENT (ears, nose, and throat) specialist and undergo tests.
Maumoon has been diagnosed with a type of vertigo disease and has been advised to have a caretaker with him at all times, an advisory that has been pursued by his family but is yet to be granted.
