Source: Daily News & Analysis
Defiant former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed on Monday refused to appear before a court in connection with an abuse of power case, forcing the postponement of the matter even as he set sail outside Male despite a travel ban.
Sources close to Nasheed said that the reason for his absence was the decision of his party - Maldivian Democratic Party - to reject any charges filed through the Maldivian courts until the judicial system was reformed as recommended by some international agencies.
“Since the accused is not present in court, the hearing has been canceled,†a court official said in a statement read out to a handful of lawyers and reporters in court.
There was tight security around the Justice Building and the whole area was cordoned by Maldives Police Service.
Nasheed, who was asked to appear before a three-judge bench set up to hear charges that he abused his power while in office, left the capital for Southern Atolls in a tuna fishing vessel.
This trip will end on October 13 at Addu City and he will go to each inhabited island of Southern most four Atolls.
Last week, a court had ordered the former President to remain in capital island Male until the case against him is concluded.
The case could see him jailed or banished to a remote island and barred from future elections.
The case relates to his decision to send the military to arrest of a senior judge in January, an action that led to protests and his resignation in February.