MDP: Nasheed will return a free man

Former President Mohamed Nasheed – who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges by Maldivian courts – will return to the country as a free man, says Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).

Nasheed currently resides in the UK as a political refugee, but has announced he will return from exile on November 1.

Speaking during a press conference by MDP last Tuesday to brief the media on preparations to welcome Nasheed back to Maldives, Chairperson of MDP, Hassan Latheef said the United Nations and other countries have declared Nasheed’s trial and conviction arbitrary and consider him a free man even now.

“We believe he is a free man even now. And we believe the Maldivian population thinks so too. God willing, there will be no obstacle to President Nasheed exercising his political, civic or human rights when he returns on November 1,” said Hassan Latheef.

He also said the MDP was doing everything it could to overturn the conviction against Nasheed. And that he is confident no government agency will harass Nasheed in any way.

Hassan Latheef said that supporters will greet Nasheed at Male’ City and not at the airport. He said the MDP extended the invitation to people from across the country who wish to be there to greet Nasheed when he returns.