Nasheed appeal hearing scheduled in absence

Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for appeal of former President Mohamed Nasheed’s 13 year jail sentence, for Wednesday.

“Sun” has it in confidence that the hearing was previously scheduled for 1 pm and then later delayed to 3 pm.

It is unclear at this point whether it’s an actual hearing or a pre-trial meeting to provide information.

Nasheed was sentenced to jail in 2015 after the court found him guilty of the illegal arrest of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed using military officers, during Nasheed’s tenure as Maldivian president and head of military.

Nasheed is currently in Britain for his back surgery.

He has been granted 30 days to receive medical care from abroad.

Article 51 (f) of Maldivian Constitution states that defendant has the right for trial against them to be carried out in their presence, and to have an attorney of their choosing to defend them.