Nasheed: Discussing with lawyers if to return or not

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he is discussing with his lawyers to decide he will return to the Maldives or not.

Speaking with CNN on his medical trip to London with his international lawyer, Amal Clooney, Former Maldivian President said that he wants to return to Maldives where oppositions can hold political activities freely.

When asked if he would return to the Maldives, President Nasheed said that he is discussing with his lawyers on what to do next.

But in a previous conference at London, the former President said that he assures that he would return to the Maldives but did not say when he would return.

With the government’s approval, President Nasheed went to London for spine surgery on 21 January.

The legal documents on approving a convict to leave the country were signed by the former President’s brother Dr. Ibrahim Naashid on behalf of his family.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed was serving a 13-year prison sentence after being convicted of terrorism. His 30-day medical leave to London was approved by the Maldives Correctional Service.

After the 30 days, Nasheed can stay in London on doctor’s orders.

The Foreign Ministry said that President Nasheed was given a medical leave of total 45 days.

Conditions of Former President Nasheed’s medical leave:

• Notifying the address and the contact number to the Correctional Service within 24 hours of arrival at the foreign country.

• Notifying any changes to the address when abroad.

• Gain approval from the Correctional Service by sending a fax of the doctor’s letter if the treatment would exceed 30 days.

• Notifying the Correctional Service with the arrival flight number, date and time after treatment.

• Acknowledging that the sentence is halted from the date of the departure and resumes from the date of return into custody.