The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has extended the medical leave granted for former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to seek treatment overseas.
Adeeb left for Singapore on July 11. The 10-day leave was extended till August 28 after the jailed former vice president made a request at MCS.
A spokesperson for MCS told Adhadhu that the deadline has, once again, been extended till September 15. The extension was given on the recommendation of the medical board, the official said.
According to Adeeb's Maldives Third-way Democrats (MTD) party, he is undergoing treatment for a neurological disorder.
MCS earlier said that he was authorized to travel after making arrangements to ensure his return.
Commissioner of Prisons Ahmed Mohamedfulhu said that security officers would accompany Adeeb during his time abroad.
Controller of Immigration Mohamed Ahmed 'Hanafee' said that he was issued a temporary travel document instead of his passport.
Adeeb, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison over the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal, had been transferred from jail to house arrest due to his medical condition.
In response to criticism faced by the government for allowing him to serve the jail sentence at home, the home ministry previously said he was transferred because he needed to use a machine while sleeping.
The High Court first ordered Adeeb's transfer to house arrest in 2018 after a case was filed on his behalf over the lack of adequate medical treatment.
