Former President Mohamed Nasheed will return to the Maldives under circumstances that do not force him back into prison, said the Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) deputy leader Mohamed Shifaz.

Former parliament representative to the Baarah constituency, Shifaz was confident of Nasheed’s return but was unsure of when and under what circumstances it would happen.

“I do not see Nasheed going back to prison” the former MP continued “He will return after having ensured that he can remain with the people, I do not know right now when that is going to be, or how it is going to come about”. 

At a press conference in Colombo last week, Nasheed had announced his decision to contest the elections and welcomed President Abdulla Yameen to run against him.

While Nasheed is scheduled to leave to London on Monday, this visit had allowed him participate in an MDP national assembly for the first time since his 13-year jail in 2015.

Further, at an MDP rally held on Sunday night, MP Mohamed Nazim, representative to the Vaikaradhoo constituency, said that President Abdulla Yameen frequently beats down on Nasheed ‘at every podium’ because he knows Nasheed’s freedom is at the corner, and fears it.