Foreign Minister defends Nasheed

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dunya Maumoon has defended the 13 year sentence against the former president Mohamed Nasheed, responding to the international community.

The former president was sentenced to 13 years in prison last Friday for the unlawful arrest of the then chief judge of the Criminal Court Abdulla Mohamed on 2012. Reuters said today that the Maldivian is in a political turmoil after Nasheed’s sentencing.

The foreign minister told the press in Colombo today that the trial was conducted in accordance with the relevant laws and criminal procedures prevailing in the Maldives. Due process was followed and president Nasheed was accorded his rights fully.

"A free and fair trial has happened and no person, whether former president or not, is above the law," she said.

Reuters said the United States, Britain and several rights groups said on Saturday they were troubled by the conviction because of a lack of judicial independence and the denial of legal representation during Nasheed's first hearing.

They also said that tension has been mounting in the country since Nasheed, who was ousted in disputed circumstances in 2012, was arrested last month, sending thousands of his supporters onto the streets.