Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Monday hailed the decision by the country's prosecutors to ask the Supreme Court to review former president Mohamed Nasheed's terrorism conviction and urged the apex court to expedite the judgement.
Maldives' prosecutor's office on Sunday asked the country's apex court to review Nasheed's jailing ahead of his return from self-imposed exile next month.
Nasheed lives in self imposed exile most recently in Sri Lanka after he was allowed to leave to the UK on medical leave in an internationally brokered deal following his jailing on terrorism charges.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison over the arbitrary arrest and subsequent detention of a sitting judge while he was president.
Several international organizations including the United Nations (UN) had denounced Nasheed's jailing on serious flaws with violations of his right to a fair trial.
Prosecutor General's (PG) office in a statement said it has petitioned the Supreme Court to review its decision to uphold Nasheed's conviction in 2016 "due to mounting requests."
MDP in a statement on Monday said that the case was linked to the interest of thousands of his supporters and the political landscape of the country.
"In light of this, this party urges the Supreme Court to expedite a judgement on its review of Nasheed's conviction," the statement read.
Nasheed's return on November 1 was announced days after after the opposition alliance secured a surprise victory in last month's presidential elections.
He however, has refused to heed increasing calls to ask the Supreme Court to review his conviction.
Nasheed's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) meanwhile has insisted that the former president would return to the country a "free man."
MDP has planned celebrations throughout the Maldives to welcome Nasheed back to the country.
