<p>Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been formally charged with illegally ordering the arrest of a senior judge of the criminal court here, a move that led to widespread protests and finally his ouster.</p>.<p><br />Maldives Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizz has filed the criminal charge against former Nasheed and his then Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim.<br /><br />Nasheed and Tholhath stand charged with violating Article 81 of the Penal Code, which states that the detention of a government employee who has not been found guilty of a crime is illegal. If found guilty, Nasheed and Tholhath will face a jail sentence or banishment for three years.</p>
<p>Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed has been formally charged with illegally ordering the arrest of a senior judge of the criminal court here, a move that led to widespread protests and finally his ouster.</p>.<p><br />Maldives Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizz has filed the criminal charge against former Nasheed and his then Defence Minister Tholhath Ibrahim.<br /><br />Nasheed and Tholhath stand charged with violating Article 81 of the Penal Code, which states that the detention of a government employee who has not been found guilty of a crime is illegal. If found guilty, Nasheed and Tholhath will face a jail sentence or banishment for three years.</p>