Ex-VP Adeeb's health deteriorating, transfer to prison 'unjust': MTD

Former vice president Ahmed Adeeb’s health has drastically declined since his transfer to house arrest after surgery in late November, the Maldives Third Way Democrats (MTD) has said.

The former vice president, who was transferred back to prison last Wednesday, was rushed to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital for emergency treatment just two days after detention at the Maafushi Prison.

The MTD has described his current condition; the party’s deputy leader Saaif Ahmed said told the press on Sunday that he has fever, high blood pressure, vomiting and that doctors have found blood in his urine.

Adeeb was rushed for emergency treatment on Saturday, after two days in detention

Saaif said that Adeeb has been suffering from post-surgery complications from the lithotripsy procedure performed in November to break the stones in his kidney; and that smaller parts of the stone are trapped in his bladder.

Saaif said that after review of recent scans, doctors have advised a further procedure to break the smaller stones, although he did reveal any details of what procedure Adeeb has been advised to undergo.

Another panelist at MTD’s conference, the current sitting MP for Velidhoo constituency, Yameen Rasheed, said that the previous document advising that Adeeb be detained at a ‘homely environment’ no longer stands and that further imprisonment in light of his complications is unjust.

MP Yameen is referring to Home Minister Imran Abdulla’s response to the MTD’s initial criticism to Adeeb’s transfer, where Minister Imran guaranteed that Adeeb will be kept in appropriate ‘environment’ and that his right to medical care is a priority. The Maldives Correctional Service said on Saturday that Adeeb is being kept in a cell specifically designed for him.

Former vice president Adeeb has thus far spent over three years in prison after having been sentenced to 33 years on charges of corruption, embezzlement, and attempting to assassinate former president Abdulla Yameen.

The MTD held its inaugral assembly while Adeeb was in house arrest, and he was heavily praised for his 'courage' and political competencies by speakers at the event. Adeeb was then elected the party's leader, although the Elections Commission has highlighted that he cannot fill this position as per a 2015 amendment to the Prison and Parole Act.