Qasim's medical extention expires tonight, still not cleared to fly

Lawyers of the Jumhooree Party Leader, Qasim Ibrahim, has said that his family has been notified by the airline that Qasim is still not physically fit to fly after his treatment in Singapore, to which he left for while serving time.

A statement issued by Qasim's lawyers tonight said that the Maldives Correctional Service has been notified that the airline has not allowed for Qasim to travel.

The statement also said that the Correctional Service has notified the family that a second extension on the medical visit abroad has been denied after the family requested the extension claiming that the treatment is yet incomplete.

Qasim was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days for bribery, in absentia, while at the hospital on August 24. His sentence was later amended and he was granted permission to serve his sentence under house arrest.

He was allowed to travel out of the country 13 days after he was admitted to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital.

Correctional Service said that assuming that Qasim would not be returning to the country, they would be requesting help from the Maldives Police Service, if necessary, to bring him back to serve the rest of his sentence.