Amnesty International has expressed concern over the medical condition of the detained former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
The UK-based non-governmental organisation released a statement condemning the detention of Adeeb in prison despite the rejection of charges pressed against him. In the statement, Amnesty noted Adeeb is suffering from a number of serious health issues including glaucoma, kidney stones, sleep apnea, internal cysts and syncopal attacks. The statement further read the necessary treatment for Adeeb is not available in the Maldives, and he needs to be taken abroad to be treated.
Amnesty further stated Adeeb is being kept in a cell without access to the machine prescribed for sleep apnea and raised concerns that his other medical conditions will be ignored by the authorities which would put his health and potentially his life at risk. Citing Rule 24 of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which stipulate the provision of health care for prisoners is a state responsibility, Amnesty stated the failure to adhere to the rule indicates a lack of respect for the international human rights law, domestic law, and basic human decency. The statement also noted Adeeb is currently held without access to family or lawyers due to COVID-19 related restrictions on visitors.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) pressed seven charges against Adeeb at the Criminal Court of the Maldives in relation to the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). However, at the preliminary hearing of the trial, Criminal Court Judge Ismail Rasheed rejected the charges citing the lack of sufficient credible evidence against Adeeb, claiming the charges are largely dependent on confession agreements signed between the defendant and the PGO, which holds no validity in court. The PGO has appealed the verdict at the High Court of the Maldives. The former vice president has been remanded under the order of the High Court until the end of the appeal.
Former Vice President Adeeb had previously been sentenced to 33 years in prison over charges of corruption and terrorism. However, the sentences were later overturned by the Supreme Court of the Maldives as the charges were pressed through an investigation filled with political influence and violated the international conventions signed by the Maldives.
Adeeb had also served the sentence of three months and 18 days, which was imposed for his attempt to flee the country while his passport was seized by the orders of the Supreme Court.