Maldivians cannot accept the state in which former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is being kept in detention, his successor Mohamed Nasheed has said.

Former President Nasheed, in a tweet on Wednesday, described incumbent President Abdulla Yameen as practicing a level of despotism never seen before in Maldivian political history.

In his tweet, Nasheed calls on Maldivians to stand against said despotism and to support the Joint Opposition presidential candidate, MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Former President Maumoon’s family have said that his health has declined, as he continues to be imprisoned on charges described as trumped up.