Nasheed: Qasim was arrested unlawfully, international community must step in

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has condemned the arrest of the Leader of Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim and the international community has to take steps against the arrest.

Qasim was arrested late last night in suspicion of influencing MPs to submit a no confidence motion against the Speaker of the Parliament, Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed with 42 signatures of MPs. He is currently detained in police custody at Dhoonidhoo.

Hon. Qasim unlawfully arrested again. Such actions will destabilise Maldives & the Indian Ocean. International community must take action.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) April 21, 2017

Maldives Police Service initially arrested Qasim on 6 April 2017 under a court order with charges of bribery and attempting to overthrow the government outside the law but he was released after the High Court ordered the release.

Following the initial arrest, ex-President Nasheed said that the JP Leader is a former State Minister, a current MP and a philanthropist and “solitary is torture & ill-treatment.”

Qasim is currently charged with attempted bribery, using influence in executing responsibilities of an official position and attempting to influence a voter according to the Prosecutor General’s Office and while the trial has started, it is to taken place in a closed courtroom.

Next hearing in the trial is set for Sunday.