A Maldivian opposition party delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on Thursday and held discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on the present political crisis in the Maldives.

Former Speaker of Parliament from the Maldives and a member of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Abdullah Shahid told Xinhua here that the delegation also held talks with the diplomatic community on Thursday and urged them to help secure the release of opposition leader Mohammed Nasheed from police custody.

Nasheed was arrested by the police in the Maldivian capital Male on Sunday on terrorism charges and has since then been detained at a prison facility in the Dhoonidhoo island following an order from a criminal court.

Shahid said that they feared for Nasheed's life and had informed the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and the diplomatic community of their concerns.

"We fear for Nasheed's safety as the charges against him are all politically motivated. He has not been given a fair trial and his legal team has still not been able to access him," Shahid said.

"Sri Lanka has always been very concerned about the well-being of the Maldivian people and as Sri Lanka chairs the Commonwealth it increases their responsibility to promote good governance in the region," Shahid said.

Shahid said that since Nasheed's arrest on Sunday, he has been mistreated in prison and despite the Maldivian Human Rights Commission asking access for an independent doctor to Nasheed, to date the request has not been granted by the Maldivian government.

Nasheed was arrested on terrorism allegations for having arrested and detained Abdulla Ghazi, the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court during his administration.

His arrest sparked international concern when the former president was manhandled and dragged to court on Monday for his first trial without his lawyers being able to represent him after which the Criminal Court ordered him to be detained until the end of his trail.

His arrest sparked widespread protest in Male as supporters gathered near his home and clashed with police.

If convicted Nasheed faces jail and possible banishment. Endi

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