Politics
22:25, 03-Feb-2018
UN urges Maldives government to respect court ruling on release of former chief
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday called upon the Maldivian government to respect a landmark Supreme Court ruling ordering the immediate release of all high-profile prisoners, including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement released overnight that the UN chief believes the Maldives' "political stalemate" can be resolved through "all-party talks, which the United Nations continues to stand ready to facilitate."
"He also calls on all to exercise restraint," Dujarric added.
The court ruled Thursday that the convictions of senior Maldivian opposition figures were "questionable" and "politically motivated," overturned these rulings, and ordered new trials.
It also reinstated 12 legislators who were expelled for defecting from President Abdulla Yameen's party.
The Supreme Court intervention represents a major setback for Yameen, and paves the way for the return of his rival former president Nasheed – whom he controversially defeated in 2013.
According to AFP's report, Nasheed said that he intends to run for president, a day after the court's surprise decision to cut short his 13-year prison sentence for terrorism.
The Maldives government has vowed to maintain peace and stability of the country amid the Supreme Court's verdict.
Source(s): AFP