A senior official at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] said [press release] Friday that the trial and conviction of former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed was “vastly unfair, arbitrary, and disproportionate” and urged action to resolve the deepening political crisis. Mona Rishmawi, head of the OHCHR’s rule of law, equality and non-discrimination branch, said Nasheed’s 19-day trial was “politically motivated and his conviction was reached by judges wielding incredible discretionary powers.” The UN human rights office urged the government to create an environment conducive for political dialogue and ensure Nasheed’s safety in custody.

The Maldives judiciary has generated significant controversy over the last two years. In March the Criminal Court of Maldives [official website] sentenced Nasheed 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. In October the OHCHR expressed concern [JURIST report] over the Supreme Court’s prosecution of five members of the Maldives Human Rights Commission [official website]. Last 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.