India condemns Maldives over Gayoom sentence
There are doubts a free and fair election can be held in the Maldives.
14 Jun 2018, 9:00 AM
India risked angering the Maldives Thursday as it condemned the jailing of a former president and two top judges, saying their imprisonment cast doubt on the credibility of this year’s presidential poll.
Its statement follows the sentencing of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Justice Ali Hameed, who were found guilty of obstruction of justice and handed 19-month jail sentences.
Ties between the two countries have been unravelling for months and India’s latest remarks could further provoke the Maldives, which has previously hit back at its neighbour for commenting on its political situation.
“It is… with deep dismay that we learned that the former President of the Maldives as well as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court are being sentenced to long prison terms without fair trial,” said India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
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