Maumoon, Faris, Qasim released on parole

Former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon and Maamingili MP Qasim Ibrahim have been released on parole.

Maumoon, who had been serving his sentence at Maafushi Prison, was released by High Court this Sunday after keeping a parole deposit of MVR 60,000 with the court.

He was sentenced to one year seven months in prison last July for obstruction of justice after he refused to surrender his mobile phone for the investigation into the Supreme Court order on February 1.

Maumoon, who is in his 80s, is also on trial for terrorism.

His son Faris, who had been serving a four-month and 24-day prison sentence for identity fraud was also released on parole by the High Court this Sunday. Faris has kept a parole deposit of MVR 40,000 with the court, which ordered that he be released from custody pending the outcome of appeal proceedings of his sentence.

The High Court also ordered that Qasim, who was sentenced to three years, 2 months and 12 days in prison for bribery also be released on parole. Qasim, who currently resides in Germany for medical treatment, has paid a MVR 70,000 deposit for his parole, and the court has ordered he be released pending the outcome of his appeal.

High Court released all three politicians follow parole petitions filed on their behalf.