Following the conviction of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom on charges of obstruction of justice, the long-serving statesman has been transferred to Maafushi Prison.
Gayoom was arrested on the night of 05th February mere hours after President Yameen declared a State of Emergency across the nation, under allegations of attempting to overthrow the government of his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen. He had been kept in incarceration without a verdict in Dhoonidhoo detention center up until his persecution imposed by the Criminal Court on Wednesday.
The longest-serving leader and third President of the country was transferred to Maafushi prison sometime on Thursday afternoon to do time sentence to serve hos sentnece of one year, seven months and six days in prison after being found guilty of the obstruction charges raised against him for refusing to provide his mobile phone to the authorities.
Although Gayoom, the second President to be convicted in President Yameen’s five-year administration, had denied all charges raised against him upon conviction and called his trial unfair, presiding judge over the case Hassan Najeeb had maintained that the trial had gone in accordance to law.
His arrest came with multiple allegations raised again him including terrorism for conspiring to overthrow the government as well as obstruction of justice after the initial Supreme Court ruling issued on the 01st of February releasing prominent leading figures in the political sphere. Gayoom was initially kept under police custody at the Maafushi Prison for the remainder of his trial but had been transferred to Dhoonidhoo detention center following a sudden health deterioration.
Following his conviction, many had expressed their dismay and called for Gayoom’s immediate release including the international community.
