Adeeb transferred back to prison for 'violating conditions of house arrest'

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor was transferred back to Maafushi Prison for violating the agreement for his transfer to house arrest, says Maldives Correctional Service.

MCS said in a statement this Thursday that each inmate transferred to house arrest and the person assigned as guarantor is required to sign an agreement setting conditions for his/her house arrest.

It said that transferring inmates who violate the agreement back to prison is normal practice by the agency.

MCS also said there was no new medical information requiring Adeeb to be kept under house arrest, and that the agency, as per medical regulation for inmates, has arranged for Adeeb to receive the healthcare he requires at the prison.

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, 2018 after emergency operation at IGMH, and then transferred back to Maafushi Prison on January 2.

Adeeb, after three days in Maafushi Prison, was transported to IGMH on January 5 and has remained hospitalized at IGMH since then.

The Human Rights Commission of Maldives (HRCM) recently sent letters to relevant State authorities in which it said Adeeb was transferred back to prison against medical advice.

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.