The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today expressed deep concern that Government of the Maldives after former President Mohammad Nasheed was once again sent to prison، calling the move a “serious set-back” for the country.
“We had been encouraged by the Government’s earlier decision to move Mr. Nasheed to house arrest after widespread national and international criticism of the clearly flawed trial which resulted in him being sentenced to 13 years in jail in March this year”، said Rupert Colville، an OHCHR spokesperson.
OHCHR further said they had received reports that force، including pepper spray، was used against Nasheed’s supporters who gathered amid his escort to confinement centre.
The Office of the High Commissioner has conducted two missions to Maldives in recent months to discuss these issues with the authorities، visiting Nasheed both in jail and while he was under house arrest at his residence.
Urging the Government to consider former President Nasheed’s early release، the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights، Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein، also urged the review of pending criminal cases against several hundred opposition supporters in relation to the protests in recent months.