Maldives ex-president Gayoom freed on bail

Colombo: Maldives’ High Court on Sunday released on bail the island nation’s jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

He has been freed a week after his estranged half-brother was defeated at a presidential election.

Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon, were released by the High Court in Male after they mounted fresh appeals against their controversial convictions, AFP reported.

Following his windfall victory, President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih urged incumbent Abdulla Yameen to release all political prisoners.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power with the backing of parties including Gayoom’s.