President Nasheed’s Office: Nasheed will go under anesthesia today

The office of former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that he will go under anesthesia for a medical procedure on Wednesday.

The press statement released by Nasheed’s Office said that he was receiving medical treatment under care of his doctor as Maldives Correctional Service had granted their request for an extension, and granted a further 30 days for his stay abroad to receive medical care.

“As President Nasheed is undergoing treatment today at hospital, we pray to god for his recovery on behalf of all Maldivian citizens who wish him well,” read the statement.

President Abdulla Yameen had said that Nasheed would be going under anesthesia for a surgery today, in his speech during inauguration ceremony of G. A. Gemanafushi Harbor – a statement which led to Nasheed’s lawyer Hassan Latheef calling him a liar.

Commissioner of Prisons, Mohamed Husham, during a press conference held the next day, said that MCS had decided to cancel the extension they had granted for Nasheed’s medical treatment as his lawyers were now saying he would not be undergoing surgery, despite a surgery being scheduled in medical documents submitted by him to MCS.

Husham also said that they were now questioning the authenticity of the medical documents submitted by Nasheed.

President Yameen on Tuesday ratified the amendment to Former Presidents Protection and Benefits Act, which revokes privileges and immunities that are accorded by the state to former presidents and their spouses if they are convicted of any criminal offence during their term at office.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13-years in prison last year for illegal incarceration of Criminal Court Chief Justice during his administration – meaning that he will now no longer receive any state protection or benefit.

Nasheed had been receiving a monthly allowance of MVR 50,000, an additional monthly living allowance of MVR 50,000, and an annual allowance of MVR 2.1 million to run his office.