Former President Nasheed stopped from leaving the country due to withheld passport

Former President Mohamed Nasheed was unable to depart the country today on a private visit, due to his passport being withheld.

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) youth wing president Aminath Shauna told Sun Online in an interview that Nasheed was informed that his passport had been withheld after he arrived at the airport to depart to Bangkok on a private trip.

She said that the purpose of Nasheed’s trip is to accompany his ill father to Bangkok.

Shauna said that Nasheed went to the airport after clearing everything that needs to be cleared, and that he will depart as soon as his passport is released.

A statement by former President Nasheed’s office said that Nasheed was granted permission to depart the country via a letter signed on 18 December by head of Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court Hussain Mazeed, which stated that the Court had no objections to Nasheed leaving the country.

“We hereby voice our concern over Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court’s action. We would like to bring to question, Hulhumale’ Court’s purpose for acting in such a manner against President Mohamed Nasheed. We also urge the Court to refrain from being influenced by political groups, disregard intimidation by certain groups, and to act with fairness,” the statement by President Nasheed’s office said.

Moments ago, Hulhumale’ Court sent a document to Sun Online which support Shauna’s statements. The letter states that the court had granted permission to Nasheed to leave the country from 19 December to 6 January.

“Following the request by Mohamed Nasheed of G. Keneryge for the Court’s permission to go abroad from 19 December 2012 to 6 January 2013, the court’s order on Department of Immigration and Emigration to withhold Nasheed’s passport and the travel ban on Nasheed have been lifted, consequently permitting Nasheed to travel abroad,” says the order by Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court.

It has not been possible to contact Department of Immigration and Emigration in relation to this matter at the time of press, as there was no answer on the phone of Controller of Immigration and Emigration Dr Mohamed Ali.

The regulation on court summons states that persons whose trials are ongoing in court can only leave the country if the court grants permission. Nasheed’s earlier trip abroad while the trial against him for arresting Chief Judge of Criminal Court Abdullah Mohamed was in progress, was following permission by Hulhumale’ Magistrate Court.