America and India raise concerns after President Nasheed is sentenced to prison

America and India has expressed concerns after the former president, Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The Voice of America said that the American envoy for South East Asia, Nisha Biswal has met with the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon and expressed her concerns.

Spokesperson for the State Department Jen Psaki issued a press release calling for the democratic rights of the Maldivian citizens and independence of the judiciary system.

The press release also called for the government to provide safety for the former president while he is serving the sentence and continue exercing the freedom of speech in a peaceful manner.

The Spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, Syed Akbaruddhin expressed the Indian concerns on Twitter.

India deeply concerned at developments in Maldives, monitoring situation closely.

— Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) March 14, 2015

The former president Mohamed Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in prison last night after he was found guilty of the unlawful arrest of the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed.