MALé, Maldives, March 15 (UPI) -- Former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed was found guilty of ordering the arrest of a judge while in power and sentenced to 13-years in prison under anti-terrorism laws.
Nasheed, the first democratically elected leader of Maldives, was arrested Feb. 22 after he failed to appear to court in protest. His appeal on the arrest order was rejected Sunday.
Nasheed was cleared of charges early February, but was arrested again and tried under anti-terrorism laws where he and top members of his administration were accused of a controversial military detention of criminal court chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.
"Nasheed is found guilty of arresting and illegally detaining judge Abdulla Mohamed," judge Abdulla Didi said on Friday. A judge said prosecutors proved "beyond reasonable doubt" that Nasheed ordered the "arrest or forceful abduction and detention" of the judge.
Lawyers working for Nasheed quit during the second trial, citing bias and political sabotage. His trial was not open to the public, which some say is against the country's constitution.
"I appeal to all of you today to stay courageous and strong, to confront the dictatorial power of this regime," Nasheed said.
The Human Rights Commission of Maldives stated "there were concerns regarding the due process of law" during Nasheed's trial.
