Maldives ex-president says granted UK refugee status

AFP, LONDON: Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed says he has been granted refugee status in Britain, after being toppled from power and jailed in a “slide towards authoritarianism” that has forced him into exile.
Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected leader, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on controversial terrorism charges last year, but was allowed to travel to Britain in January for spinal cord surgery after he fell ill.
The island nation has been rocked by political turmoil in recent years, seriously denting its reputation as an upmarket tourist destination as current leader Abdulla Yameen rules with an iron fist. “President Yameen has jailed every opposition leader and cracked down on anyone who dares to oppose or criticise him,” Nasheed, 49, said in a statement Monday proclaiming his refugee status.

Maldives ex-president says granted UK refugee status

AFP, LONDON: Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed says he has been granted refugee status in Britain, after being toppled from power and jailed in a slide towards authoritarianism that has forced him into exile. Nasheed, the countrys first democratically elected leader, was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment on controversial terrorism charges last year, but was allowed to travel to Britain in January for spinal cord surgery after he fell ill. The island nation has been rocked by political turmoil in recent years, seriously denting its reputation as an upmarket tourist destination as current leader Abdulla Yameen rules with an iron fist. President Yameen has jailed every opposition leader and cracked down on anyone who dares to oppose or criticise him, Nasheed, 49, said in a statement Monday proclaiming his refugee status.