Nasheed: No option left, but to work in exile - for now

Former President Mohamed Nasheed – who has been granted political asylum in UK – said that there was no room for dissident political views in Maldives and that he had no other option than to continue his efforts in exile.

Nasheed – who was sentenced to 13 years in prison on terror charges – was in UK for medical treatment when he was granted political refugee status by the country last Sunday.

He published a statement on his website on Monday night, in which he said that that President Abdulla Yameen was imprisoning all opposition political leaders or anyone who criticized Yameen’s government.

“In the past year, freedom of the press, expression and assembly have all been lost. Given the slide towards authoritarianism in the Maldives, myself and other opposition politicians feel we have no choice but to work from exile – for now,” said Nasheed.

Maldivian government – after Nasheed announced his refugee status – said that UK was yet to officially shared information regarding their decision with Maldivian government, and that it was sad news if UK government had indeed given Nasheed protection.

Foreign Minister Dhunya Maumoon said that she would question UK government regarding what basis they made the decision to grant Nasheed political refugee status.

Nasheed left for UK on January 21 after he was granted permission to travel out of the country for medical treatment.

He was asked to return back to the country during early April after the number of days he was allowed outside the country ran out, and then granted 30 more days on April 17 upon his request for an extension.

Maldives Correctional Service then made the controversial decision to cancel the extension provided to Nasheed on April 18, which was overturned by Home Minister Umar Nasheed after review, and advice of MCS medical board.

Nasheed requested for an extension again on May 22 – the day he was granted political asylum in UK.