The domestic politics of the Maldives might significantly change if the position of the MDP government weakens. It might change the flavour of India–Maldives bilateral relationship and will also have an impact on the security environment in the Indian Ocean region.
The Maldives’ top court has cancelled the 13-year prison sentence of former President Mohamed Nasheed following a review of his controversial conviction on terrorism charges.
Nasheed, who recently returned home after years in self-exile, was elected president in 2008, becoming the island nation’s first democratically chosen leader.
But he was toppled in what he called a coup in 2012, and found guilty of “terrorism” three years later over the arrest of a top judge during his tenure.
The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that 51-year-old was wrongfully charged and the criminal court should not have proceeded to trial.
Nasheed welcomed the news in a post on Twitter, expressing his “deepest gratitude to the people of the Maldives”.