WASHINGTON (AP) – The United States is calling for the Maldives government to release former President Mohamed Nasheed after he was sent back to prison from house arrest this week.
Nasheed is serving a 13-year sentence following a March trial that drew international condemnation. His sentence was commuted to house arrest last month.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday the U.S. is “disturbed” by Nasheed’s late-night transfer back to prison.
Kirby also voiced concern over political cases pending against other opposition leaders, including a former defense minister and the leader of a conservative Islamic party.
He urged steps to restore confidence in democracy and rule of law in the Indian Ocean island nation.
Nasheed was Maldives first leader after democratic reforms in 2008. He lost a presidential election in 2013.