Former vice president Ahmed Adeeb was taken back to prison Wednesday night after more than a month under house arrest.
Adeeb, who is serving 33 years in prison for corruption and terrorism, was transferred to house arrest on November 27 based on doctor’s recommendations after he underwent surgery to remove kidney stones.
Under house arrest, Adeeb formed a new party called the Maldives Third-Way Democrats, which has condemned his return to jail.
The house arrest period recommended by the doctor would be up on January 27, MP Yameen Rasheed told the press.
But according to Home Minister Sheikh Imran Abdulla, the doctor advised Adeeb’s transfer to a “homely environment” for two months on October 24. He was taken back because the doctor did not renew the advice after December 24, he tweeted, assuring proper treatment under custody.
“This government will not deprive anyone’s basic human rights against the law,” he added.
But Adeeb’s wife has disputed the home minister’s claim. Adeeb underwent surgery on November 19 and was discharged on November 27.
“For after care and recovery after the surgery, the doctor advised keeping Adeeb in a stress free environment under family care for six to eight weeks. I have the documents,” she tweeted.
With supporters gathered outside his residence in Malé, Adeeb was escorted to a Maldives Correctional Service vehicle by police officers.
Citing a high flight risk, the former administration had rejected pleas to allow Adeeb to seek treatment overseas for kidney stones and internal cysts. He must return millions of dollars stolen from the state tourism company, former president Abdulla Yameen insisted.
Adeeb “said he will go undergo every possible treatment available in Maldives to face all the investigations and clear his name,” his wife tweeted before the surgery