Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that when the time comes to it, he will return back to the Maldives, even if it means going back to jail.

He made the statement speaking to Maldivians living in Sri Lanka, in a meeting held as part of his visit to the country.

In the meeting Nasheed said he went to the United Kingdom after serving part of his sentence, adding that he will have to return back to jail when he comes back to the Maldives. He said that he will return back in spite of this.

In his address, Nasheed said the Government was impeding on the rights of the public, with rising costs of living and uncertain social protection status. He said that it was difficult for him to remain away from the country while the situation had reached a dire point.

In addition Nasheed said President Yameen was well aware of how the results of the Local Council Elections will pan out and as a result was hesitant to hold it. Nasheed said the Council Elections was the best option open to the country to resolve the issues and urged the citizens to vote in the elections.