Maldives opposition parties have called on the international community to pressure its government to end suppression and free former president Mohammad Nasheed, party leaders said in Colombo yesterday.
Leaders of the Maldives Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhoory Party and Adahalath Party (AP) met with members of the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo to push for a meeting with President Abdulla Yameen, Xinhua news agency reported.
They also want the Maldivian government to ensure democratic rights, including an independent judiciary, and release supporters of the former president arrested during a May Day rally held earlier this month.
More than 200 protesters, including opposition leaders, were detained by police, said the opposition.
“The purpose of this alliance was to work against the threats the Maldivian democratic system was facing from the systematic and deliberate actions of President Yameen’s government,” said former MDP lawmaker Tasmeen Ali.
Former president Nasheed was jailed in March for 13 years for arresting a high court judge during his tenure. The trial has been heavily criticised by the international community, including the UN, for being politically motivated and failing to follow due process.
The opposition pledged to continue protests with one planned for later this month.
