Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim has been advised to undergo heart surgery.

In a statement released on Saturday, Qasim's legal team requested the Criminal Court to lift the travel ban imposed on the business tycoon and Maamigilli constituency MP, citing that doctors have advised that he undergo a heart surgery that is not available in the Maldives.

Noting that their client has been receiving treatment for a lung and heart condition for most of his life, the statement highlighted that his condition worsened after being held in police custody twice this year.

Qasim- who was hospitalized back in July after suffering from sudden dizziness, nausea and shortness of breath- had attempted to travel abroad on July 16, but authorities had decided to withhold his passport and he was unable to fly. Afterwards, Qasim was admitted and treated at ADK Hospital for around 10 days.

Qasim's legal team said that he was denied medial leave previously, despite doctors at ADK Hospital and Medica Hospital advising that he be taken abroad for further tests.

Noting that he was taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) for further tests, the statement emphasized that doctors have now instructed him to undergo a surgery called 'EPA + RFP', and that that surgery is not available in the Maldives.

"Delaying the surgery could risk his life," added the team.

Hence, the statement noted that the request was submitted to the Criminal Court during Thursday's hearing, along with the documents from IGMH.

While three charges were initially raised against him - bribery, abuse of power, and attempting to sway the vote of a parliamentarian - Criminal Court decided to reject the three cases as prosecutors failed to show up for a scheduled hearing.

Speaking to RaajjeMV, Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham said that the cases were rejected after the prosecutors had appealed to delay a hearing scheduled for July 10. The case was resubmitted in July.