Opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) on Wednesday called on the government to allow leader Gasim Ibrahim to travel abroad as the treatment advised by local doctors were not available in the Maldives.
The business magnate was admitted in hospital for the second time on Sunday hours before he was scheduled to be in court to face conspiring to overthrow the government, attempting to bribe government lawmakers ahead of the censure motion against parliament speaker Abdullah Maseeh in late March, and undue influence on a state official.
Gasim was only released from hospital late last month after being treated for a lung condition.
JP secretary general Ahmed Sameer said Gasim needs to travel abroad immediately as he cannot be treated in the Maldives insisting that the Maamigili lawmaker was being denied his constitutional rights.
"He's in hospital but he's not getting any treatment because there's nothing the doctors nor the hospital can do for him further. He [Gasim] needs a special surgery. And that cannot be done here [Maldives]," Sameer said.
Gasim's legal team in a statement said their client had a long-term lungs and heart condition which had worsened while in police custody.
The lawyers also warned that any delay in undergoing surgery would risk the life of their client urging the court to allow Gasim to travel.
The statement also noted that Gasim is deprived of his constitutional rights and the right to life, liberty and security under the Constitution and called on to the system to respect his constitutional rights.
