MALE (TIP): Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed was on Tuesday freed by a court where he appeared after an overnight detention and was given 25 days to answer allegations of abusing power while in office. A day after he was dramatically arrested, the prosecution submitted a total of 19 witnesses against Nasheed, along with material evidence of audio and video clips, letters and other documents.

The defence lawyers said that they needed a month to study the material evidences but the judges gave 25 days and fixed the next hearing for November 4. Nasheed, 45, was let off after the court’s session. He was arrested in Gaaf Dhaal Atoll Faresmathoda on Monday morning following an arrest warrant to produce him in court to face charges over the arrest of Judge Abdulla Mohamed during his tenure as President. Nasheed had been kept in custody overnight at Dhoonidhoo detention facility.