Nazim, who had served as the defence minister under former President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik and incumbent President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, is serving an 11-year prison sentence for smuggling and possessing dangerous weapons. His attorney, Husnu Suood told Haveeru that the correctional service had on Tuesday granted him permission to leave the Maldives for medical treatment. Nazim’s family is trying to send him off to neighbouring India as soon as possible, he said. Citing medical records, the former attorney general said his client had blurred vision and had been suffering from a cardiac condition as well. “He’ll be sent off as soon as the necessary arrangements are made,” Suood said. In May, Nazim was allowed to get treatment in Singapore for blurred vision. He spent 45 days in Singapore, and upon his return was re-taken to the Asseyri Prison in Hinmafushi island. Nazim’s condition had not improved since, according to his family, which had sought his transfer to house arrest. The government, however, is yet to take a decision regarding the request. Nazim had appealed his prison sentence. The High Court had held two hearings over the appeal in June, but the case had been stalled ever since.