Former President Mohamed Nasheed called for the release of the former top court justices Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed, on Wednesday night.
In his ongoing visit to Addu City, Nasheed addressed the supporters of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Hulhumeedhoo, claiming that both former judges, who hail from Addu, were unjustly arrested. Furthermore, he declared that he does not wish their fate to befall any more citizens.
“The former Chief Justice Ali Hameed and former Judge Abdulla Saeed, were unjustly arrested after being falsely accused, and they were victims of an unfair trial as well,” said Nasheed in his speech.
According to Nasheed, the current government must release the judges so that they can return to their families.
In addition, President-Elect Ibrahim Mohammed Solih had vowed during his presidential campaign to release the judges. Saeed and Hameed are currently the only people behind bars among those who were accused of trying to overthrow the government earlier this year.
The judges were accused of attempting a coup against the government and arrested, after the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on February 1 this year calling for the release of political prisoners..
Ali Hameed was convicted of influencing other judges in a case that was meant to be handled by the ‘executive branch’, and for refusing when the police ordered to hand over his mobile phone.
Ali Saeed, who was appointed to the Supreme Court during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s term, was also convicted of the same two charges. In addition, he is charged with obstruction of state functioning.
Both of the judges are sentenced to one year in jail.
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