COLOMBO: The Maldives’ former president has sought an extension of the medical leave from his 13-year prison sentence so he can undergo spinal surgery in Britain, the government said on Thursday.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed asked for 60 more days of leave and the government requested more information from him before approving it, government spokesman Ibrahim Hussain Shihab said.

Nasheed completed nearly one year of his sentence when he was given a 30-day temporary release from prison to undergo surgery. Speaking to media in London, Nasheed had indicated he may not return.

Nasheed was convicted of terrorism charges for ordering the arrest of a senior judge when he was president in 2012.

The government earlier said it will give an extension if needed but criticised Nasheed as using his leave for political purposes.

Nasheed became the country’s first democratically elected president in 2008, ending decades of autocratic rule in the Indian Ocean archipelago.

He resigned amid public protests over the judge’s arrest.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2016