Maldives may extend Nasheed’s prison leave

The Maldives said on Friday that it could extend the prison leave granted to former President Mohamed Nasheed to go to London for medical treatment after he hinted at delaying his return.

Mr Nasheed, who is serving a 13-year jail term after being convicted on controversial terrorism-related charges, arrived in London last week.

He has hinted he may stay beyond the 30 days’ leave the government granted him in a deal brokered by Sri Lanka, India and former colonial power Britain.

“Our belief is he would return. He is a man of great stature. I don’t think there is a question of him not returning,” the minister for legal affairs in the President’s office Aishath Azima Shakoor told reporters in Colombo.

“If he requests an extension of medical leave, he will certainly get it.”

Mr Nasheed was accorded a red carpet welcome and received by Prime Minister David Cameron when he arrived in Britain last Thursday for spinal cord surgery.

He told reporters in London that he had not yet decided whether to return after his leave.