HRCM: Adeeb transferred back to prison against medical advice

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor was transferred back to prison from house arrest against medical advice, says Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM).

HRCM, this Tuesday, sent letters to relevant State authorities, in which it said that further investigation into the HRCM’s case regarding Adeeb’s detention shows the Maldives Correctional Service had failed to comply with instructions his doctor, a urology specialist at Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on October 24, 2018.

HRCM said the specialist had recommended two months in a stress-free environment to conduct a fitness regime and 6-8 weeks under the care of his family to recover.

“The commission finds in its investigation Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor from H. Samara was transferred K. Maafushi Prison in custody of Maldives Correctional Service on January 2, 2019 in violation of the doctor’s instructions,” wrote HRCM in its letters.

HRCM said that the commission, during the course of its investigation, has both reviewed the medical documents from IGMH and personally interviewed his doctors.

The commission referred to Prisons and Parole Act and the procedure for medical treatment of inmates, and said Maldives Correctional Service was duty-bound to comply with instructions of medical experts.

Adeeb, who has been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison for terrorism and embezzlement, was transferred to house arrest on November 27 after emergency operation at IGMH.

During his time under house arrest, Adeeb signed with the newly formed political party Maldives Third-Way Democrats (MTD) and was elected interim leader of the party – a decision which Elections Commission (EC) says is void as any person serving a sentence is banned from any position in a political party expect for general member under Prisons and Parole Act.

Adeeb, after three days in Maafushi Prison, was transported to IGMH last Saturday and now remains hospitalized at IGMH.