Maldives court ruling breathes new life |
The court ruling also reinstated 12 lawmakers who had lost their positions for switching allegiance to the opposition. Mr. Yameen`s Progressive Party of the Maldives will lose a majority in the 85-member Parliament when the ousted lawmakers return. The government said that it was trying to “vet and clarify” the court`s ruling and “will work to engage, and consult with, the Supreme Court in order to comply with the ruling in line with proper procedure and the rule of law. ”The opposition alliance welcomed the ruling and called for Mr. Yameen`s resignation — saying the court`s decision “effectively ends President Yameen`s authoritarian rule.” Mr. Nasheed had been sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges but was allowed to get medical treatment in Britain, where he received asylum. The ruling could allow him to become eligible to run in the presidential election expected to take place between August and November. Mr. Yameen had been set to run for re-election virtually unopposed, with all of his opponents either jailed or exiled. The prison sentence currently disqualifies Mr. Nasheed as a candidate. In a statement last month while in neighboring Sri Lanka, Mr. Nasheed said the opposition parties were in talks to field a common candidate if he was unable to run.
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