Gasim defies travel ban to go to Germany

Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim has defied a travel ban imposed by the Maldivian government and travelled to Germany for medical treatment.

Gasim, sentenced to three years in absentia for attempted bribery, was released on medical furlough for cardiovascular treatment and travelled to Singapore in September.

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) refused to extend his medical leave, despite advice that he stay there while recuperating.

His leave expired in October with Gasim staying on in the city-state after being granted a special visa, according to his lawyers.

The MCS said he could be declared a fugitive after his failure to return to the Maldives, but refused to reveal if Gasim had been declared a fugitive.

“Under the advice of doctors who treated Gasim in Singapore and his doctors in Germany, Gasim is now being treated in Germany. He is in Germany under a special permit given to Gasim for humanitarian reasons by the government of Germany,” a statement from his legal team said.

It noted that Gasim had always visited Germany for medical treatment.

The Germany embassy in Sri Lanka, which is accredited to the Maldives, was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom tweeted that he had been in Singapore for a “brief private visit.” He returned to the Maldives Monday.