PG: Today is a day the Maldives showed it

While preliminary hearing on an appeal against the 13-year jail sentence of the former President Mohamed Nasheed at the High Court today before a decision is made about accepting the appeal, the Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office has said that today, the Maldives displayed it’s determination to maintain it’s lawful.

A statement from the PG Office tonight said that they believe that if there are any complaints about the trial of the former President, it can be resolved in the appeal process.

While the state has appealed the case, the statement noted that the case was not appealed by the former President Nasheed although he had the opportunity.

The statement says that President Nasheed requested the state to appeal the case on his behalf in his case to the U.N. and other press statements.

And so reviewing that fact and to ensure justice, says the PG Office, that the Prosecutor General has appealed the case.

The statement noted three reasons for the appeal.

They are:

1. To display the country’s determination to maintain it’s lawful rule.

2. To resolve any complaints from President Nasheed about his trial in the appeal process.

3. To prove that the rumors are not true about President Nasheed losing his right to an appeal.

The statement also says that the appeal not prove that the PG Office agrees with the concerns raised on behalf of the former President.

“The Prosecutor General’s Office believes that maintaining a lawful rule in a democratic society is extremely important and something that all citizens must respect.” The statement said.

The PG Office statement also said that they believe that courts have the power to independently make decisions.