Indian nationals in Maldivian prisons who are ill to be handed over to India

The government has decided to hand over the Indian nationals serving sentences in Maldivian prisons who are ill to the government of India.

This decision was made by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik after discussions between the two countries following a requestin this regard by the Indian government.

An official of Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that some Indian convicts in Maldivian prisons are ill enough to be excused from serving their sentences in Maldivian prisons, and due to the unavailability of suitable treatment for them in Maldivian prisons, preparations are being made following India’s request to transfer them to prisons in India.

He said that a committee has been set up at President’s Office to advise the president on this matter, and that the president will have to make his decision based on the committee’s advice after research.

“There are Indians even with heart problems in Maldivian prisons. There are people who suffer from hepatitis. We can’t give them suitable treatments here. So the Indian government has asked that they be transferred to Indian prisons. Even we go to India if we want good-standard treatment,” he said.

Currently there are 13 men and one woman of Indian nationality in Maldivian prisons. They include three people convicted of theft and 11 convicted of trade of drugs.