Former Maldivian Prez not to appeal 13-year jail term

Male: Former Maldivian president Mohammed Nasheed, sentenced to 13 years in jail under anti-terrorism laws, has decided not to appeal his conviction citing that the court has not released all the documents related to the case which are important for “a meaningful defence”.
Nasheed’s office issued a statement last night saying that the former president has decided not to go for the appeal because the Criminal Court has not released the ‘End of Trial’ report in the case till now. Nasheed’s office said that he believes that he would receive the report of the trial someday and he would be exonerated when that happens. “He (Nasheed) believes that he would be exonerated when he receives the official report. And observing the cases related to the arrest of the Judge Abdulla Mohamed under MNDF custody are important for a meaningful defence,” the statement said. One of Nasheed’s lawyers said the deadline to appeal the sentence against the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) leader expires Sunday, media reports said.
A Maldivian court earlier this month had found Nasheed guilty of charges pressed against him under anti-terrorism laws and had handed down a 13-year jail term, sparking protests from his MDP which had decided to launch a national civil disobedience campaign to free their imprisoned leader.
India, the US and the European Union have all expressed concern over 47-year-old Nasheed’s imprisonment and conviction for ordering the detention of a judge in 2012 when he was president. (PTI)