[JURIST] The Criminal Court of Maldives [official website] on Friday sentenced former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed [JURIST news archive] to 13 years in prison for terrorism-related charges. The charges relate to actions [JURIST report] taken three years ago by the former President which included the arrest and detainment of a top judge. The Maldives judge presiding over the case stated [AP report] in court, “[t]he prosecution’s evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nasheed ordered the chief judge’s arrest or forceful abduction and detention.” Many human rights groups have spoken out against the arrest and conviction of Nasheed claiming that the Maldives Judiciary’s decisions are politically motivated. Reports indicate that the verdict may cause increased street violence and protesting which could affect future tourism.

The Maldives judiciary has generated significant controversy over the last two years. In October the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [official website] expressed concern [JURIST report] over the Supreme Court’s prosecution of five members of the Maldives’ Human Rights Commission [official website]. In March the Supreme Court dismissed [JURIST report] the country’s four top election commissioners, giving each a six-month jail sentence and three-year suspension for “disobeying orders.” In November 2013 the Supreme Court suspended [JURIST report] the nation’s presidential election for the third time.