The Supreme Court has ordered to impose a temporary travel ban on former Vice President of the Maldives, Abdulla Jihad.
The High Court in January overturned a Criminal Court ruling which prevented former Vice President Abdulla Jihad from traveling abroad for medical purposes. While the High Court decision has since been appealed at the Supreme Court, the top court issued the order preventing Jihad from leaving the counry pending the outcome of the appeal.
Jihad, who has also served at the Governor and the Finance Minister has been charged with misconduct during his time as Finance Minister, which resulted in losses to the state in a beneficial situation. The charge was raised with regard to the development of K. Fushidhiggarufalhi as a specialist tourist zone.
The joint venture agreement for the development of Fushidhiggarufalhi was signed on January 18, 2013. Although it was decided that the project would be awarded to a foreign party during former president Mohamed Nasheed’s adminstration, the contract was awarded later during former president Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik’s administration.
While the case has now entered the court process, Jihad requested the state to allow him to travel abroad for medical purposes last year. The Criminal Court held a hearing on the matter on December 24, 2020. The state refused to allow Jihad to travel abroad during the hearing, stating that he was a flight risk. The presiding judge agreed with the state and ruled that Jihad cannot be allowed to travel abroad at this time.
The Criminal Court’s decision was challenged at the High Court. After the appeal hearings, the High Court ruled that the Criminal Court’s ruling on the matter was incorrect. Although the Criminal Court’s ruling had stated that Jihad was looking to flee Maldives ahead of his trial, the evidence submitted by the state was not sufficient to declare that Jihad was attempting to flee the country.
Jihad has been receiving treatment for diabetes since 2013, and frequently travels to Dubai to undergo medical tests related to his condition. He has also suffered from serious neck injuries in the past. All medical certificates validating his conditions were presented to the court by Jihad.
