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Amal Clooney calls for the release of Maldives ex-president Mohamed Nasheed

Clooney wrote Nasheed is an “innocent man,” and credited him with liberalizing reforms and calling for worldwide action against climate change.

By Elizabeth Shim

WASHINGTON, May 1 (UPI) -- Human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and the family of jailed Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed are calling for his release.

Nasheed was charged in March of illegally ordering the arrest of a judge during his term of presidency, reported Democracy Now.

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In an opinion piece published in The Guardian, Clooney wrote the charges are related to the 2012 arrest of an allegedly corrupt Maldivian judge. Nasheed's adversaries, have accused him of a terrorist "abduction," even though there is no proof he ordered the judge's arrest.

Since the ex-president was placed in incarceration, judges in the Maldives have turned down his requests to call upon defense witnesses to testify on the former president's behalf.

Clooney wrote Nasheed is an "innocent man," and credited him with liberalizing reforms and calling for worldwide action against climate change.

In 2009, a year after his election Nasheed became famous for holding a cabinet meeting underwater to bring attention to the threat of global warming to the low-lying Maldives.

Laila Ali, Nasheed's wife, said that she was very worried, but that her husband "remains strong and resolute."

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"He is determined to fight this injustice 'til his last breath. I am in Washington today to seek the support of the United States, India, the U.K., EU and all freedom-loving countries," she said Friday.

"I want these nations to urge the government of the Maldives to release my husband from prison immediately."

According to Clooney Nasheed has been at the forefront of democracy in the island country and was elected after challenging the repressive 30-year rule of Maumoon Gayoon, a dictator.

Nasheed was arrested more than 20 times, and was twice named a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

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