The opposition parties have fired back at the state's claims that Maamigili Constituency MP and Jumhooree Party leader Qasim Ibrahim.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, JP secretary general Ahmed Sameer said there was no truth to claims made by Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), adding that even the opposition parties rejected this claim.

He added they had communicated with MCS on MP Qasim’s situation and medical condition.

‘We don’t believe that MP Qasim was treated fairly by the Government. While there was a court order mandating [medical leave] and while MP Qasim was banned from flying following his cardiac surgery, the Correctional Services or the State was ordering that he return back to Maldives,’ said Sameer.

He added that MP Qasim had tried to return back to the Maldives before his medical leave had expired.

Sameer further added the case where authorities had failed to abide by the court verdict authorizing his medical leave, had been filed in court.

The Secretary General suggested that it would be more apt for the state to use their resources in finding convicts who had fled rather than on MP Qasim.