Dhiggaru MP Faris Maumoon played an important role in forming ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and his prison conviction is unlawful, says the Joint Opposition.

Faris was convicted over identity fraud for using the ruling party’s flag and logo during an opposition press conference.

In a press statement on Sunday, the opposition parties stated that Faris had been an official of PPM when he was first summoned to the police and that he had represented PPM leader and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at the press conference. Because of this, Faris had not violated any of PPM’s regulations by using the party’s flag and logo at the conference, noted the Joint Opposition.

In the statement, the coalition also stated that Faris’ trial proceedings had violated his legal rights and court procedure and that the charges against him were against Islamic law, the Constitution, and international treaties Maldives is party to.

The Joint Opposition accused the government of deliberately keeping Faris in jail for 11 months before convicting him and noted that Faris has repeatedly said that the charges against him had been politically motivated and had urged authorities not to hinder a representative of the people from doing his work.

The opposition also praised Faris for making a sacrifice for the rights of citizens and said that Faris will remain steadfast in their reform work.

The statement concluded by calling on authorities to release Faris and all other political prisoners.