The former president Mohamed Nasheed، despite contrary arguments، is not a political prisoner، however is convicted of committing a criminal offense of the utmost seriousness، Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
In a statement issued today، Foreign Ministry noted that former president is an individual who committed an offence of the utmost seriousness، an offence to which he has made formal admissions، and has been tried and convicted as a result.
“His sentence of imprisonment is not arbitrary،” Foreign Ministry noted، adding that it follows a lawful ruling by a Court of Law.
Foreign Ministry further highlighted that any concerns as to the trial process، and the findings of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention، may now be addressed in the appeal before the Supreme Court.
Moreover، the Ministry reiterated it’s statement that the “WGAD’s opinion is deeply disappointing” as it fails to address a number of salient and highly relevant considerations.
Foreign Ministry release the statement following UN WGAD released it’s report following the complaint filed by former president. UNWGAD stated that the imprisonment of Nasheed is ‘unlawful’، reflecting on Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).