Maldives High Court frees former president, son on bail

Maldives High Court yesterday ordered the release of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and his son Faris Maumoon on bail, along with the leader of opposition Jumhooree party. 

The former President was arrested in February for allegedly trying to overthrow the government of President Abdulla Yameen. President Yameen, who lost the Presidential elections last Sunday, had imposed emergency and arrested several including Gayoom after a Supreme Court ruling for the release of opposition leaders. 

Faris Maumoon was sentenced to four months prison for allegedly misusing the flag of Progressive Party of Maldives ( PPM). The PPM, founded by Gayoom, split during a leadership dispute between



him and his half-brother President Abdulla Yameen. Gayoom and his son have denied all charges against them.

In a separate development, the opposition Jumhooree Party tweeted that its self-exiled leader, Gasim Ibrahim, had been freed on bail. Gasim is serving a three-year prison sentence for bribery but has been in Germany since he was granted medical leave last November. 

The developments come after opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih was elected new President by defeating incumbent Mr Yameen. 

Several opposition MPs who were jailed during the past few months, have also been released after the election results were known.