RaajjeMV has learnt that former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom is to be transferred to house arrest on Sunday.

The opposition leader was arrested on February 5, immediately after the declaration of a state of emergency.

RaajjeMV understands that the correctional service’s medical board cleared him for a house arrest transfer some time ago.

Corrections has drawn condemnation for keeping the elderly statesman in prison even after his family urged authorities to release him due to his deteriorating health.

After being diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Maumoon’s doctors have advised him to not be alone due to the risk of him falling unconscious, his family has said.

After his arrest, Maumoon has been charged with terrorism, and is serving a prison sentence of one year and seven months on obstruction for refusing to hand over his mobile phone to the police during the investigation.