Following complaints by lawyers, Maldives Correctional Service on Sunday decided to allow former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom to meet with his legal team again.
Following his shift from Dhoonidhoo detention centre to Maafushi Prison last Thursday, Gayoom was allowed to meet his lawyers only on Friday. His lawyers had then stated that they were not allowed to meet their client afterwards, with MCS claiming the ongoing state of emergency as the reason.
MCS had also barred family visits to Gayoom.
In the wake of the lawyers’ complaints, MCS’ Information Officer Ahmed Luqman stated Sunday that they had banned visits from lawyers due to the state of emergency. However, Luqman announced that they have lifted the ban and would allow the former president to meet his legal team.
“But he cannot meet his family yet. It could change even tomorrow; we can’t give an exact date,” he said.
Gayoom is accused of bribery, conspiring to stage a coup against government and attempting to create disruptions within the Maldives security forces. He was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday after President Abdulla Yameen declared the state of emergency in the wake of a shock ruling by the Supreme Court to release political prisoners.
Sign In