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Rights watchdog says ex-VP's prison transfer against medical advise

Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) on Tuesday has stated that former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor was transferred back to jail last week against the advise of his doctors.

HRCM in a statement said the Maldives Correctional Service had failed to comply with the doctor's recommendation to transfer the patient to a homely environment for two months, following a surgery to remove kidney stones.

Earlier at a press conference, Home Minister Imran Abdulla had assured that Adheeb, who is serving a jail sentence of 33 years for multiple crimes including plotting an assassination attempt on then president, will be transferred back to prison only after the resting period recommended by doctors expire.

However, officers of the Maldives Correctional Service took Adheeb back to prison last Wednesday while Adeeb's family insists that the recommended period had not yet expired.

The family continues to implore authorities to transfer Adeeb back under house arrest.

HRCM alleged that Adheeb’s transfer was a violation of the Prisons and Parole Act.

The former VP was arrested in October 2015 on charges of terrorism for his involvement in the explosion aboard the Presidential speedboat “Finifenmaa”. He is currently serving a 33-year jail sentence for multiple convictions of corruption and terrorism for his involvement in the MMPRC corruption scandal as well as the attempted assassination of former President Yameen.