Opposition Adhaalath Party has called for the immediate release of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
The long-standing president was found guilty of obstruction of justice on Wednesday, along with Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed. All three were sentenced to one year, seven months and six days in prison.
In a tweet posted on the same night, Adhaalath Party condemned the "ruthless act" and called for the former president's immediate release.
"Wrongful conviction and sentencing of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to jail, merely a day before Eid ul-Fitr, shows the merciless and inhumane nature of President Abdulla Yameen", he added.
Wrongful conviction and sentencing of President @Maumoonagayoom to jail, merely a day before Eid-al Fitr, shows the merciless and inhumane nature of President Yameen.
— Adhaalath Party (@AdhaalathOffice) June 13, 2018
Adhaalath Party condemns this ruthless act and calls for the immediate release of President Maumoon.
A number of people have taken to social media and elsewhere, to express their concern over the 80-year old's sentencing and calling for his immediate release.
The former president and two justices were found guilty of obstruction of justice for allegedly refusing to comply with orders to handover their mobile phones to the police.
Maumoon, who ruled the nation for 30 years, has been in police custody since February 5. Incumbent President Yameen, who is also Maumoon's half-brother, ordered his arrest after declaring a nation-wide state of emergency. He accused Maumoon of conspiring to overthrow the government, with the justices and other opposition members, following a controversial Supreme Court ruling issued on February 1.
