Former Presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Mohamed Nasheed have expressed concern over the sudden transfer of Adhaalath Party leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla and Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Faris Muamoon back to prison.
They were transferred back to Maafushi Prison on Saturday; Imran in the morning while Faris was taken back in the evening.
Following the transfer, both former Presidents took to twitter to express their concerns over the matter.
Maumoon, father of MP Faris, said that he is "deeply concerned" over the sudden transfers, adding that "they must be freed immediately".
Deeply concerned that Hon @ShimranAb & MP @afarismaumoon have been taken back to prison. They must be freed immediately!
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) October 21, 2017
His successor, Nasheed said that the move "shows that President Yameen is running out of options".
"Faris and Imran will soon be free," he added.
The Adhaalath Party leader, serving a 12-year sentence on terror charges- was transferred to house arrest on 21st September, the same night his wife gave birth to their son.
MP Faris was released to house arrest on 11th October, with the Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) noting that the transfer was due to renovations at Maafushi Prison. He was arrested in July over bribery allegations, with the Criminal Court ordering to keep him in remand until the trial ends. He has also been charged with identity theft, and a hearing is scheduled for Sunday.