Qasim to serve sentence under house arrest

Maldives Correctional Service has arranged for Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim to serve his three-year prison sentence under house arrest due to his poor health.

Qasim, who is under treatment at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital for a cardiac condition, was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days in prison on August 24.

MCS has confirmed that it has arranged for Qasim to serve his sentence under house arrest.

Information officer at MCS, Ahmed Lugman reported to “Sun” last Wednesday night that the authority decided to transfer Qasim to house arrest in accordance with Article 75 of Prisons and Parole Act, which provides instruction on convicts who have medical conditions which excuse them from serving their sentences.

Lugman said Qasim will be transferred to house arrest once he is discharged from the hospital.

Secretary-General of Jumhoory Party, Ahmed Sameer reported Qasim was receiving certain incentives allowed prisoners transferred to house arrest. He said Qasim was allowed visits from family and friends without any restriction, with a MSC officer guarding the door outside his hospital room.

Sameer said the MCS has not stated the duration of the transfer to house arrest.

Criminal Court had ordered State authorities to arrange for Qasim to receive medical treatment for his condition abroad, as instructed by his doctors. The order has been appealed on behalf of the State by Attorney General’s Office.