The Yemeni national Yasir Yahya, who was detained in the Maldives based on alleged links to terrorism, has passed away.
Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) revealed Yahya was taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on July 21, after his health deteriorated following a hunger strike in prison. He died at approximately 1625hrs on August 2.
Yahya, who is a former Arabic teacher married to a Maldivian, was arrested under a court order on March 3, 2017 based on a history of terrorist activities as alleged by international media and other organisations. A request was submitted to Civil Court of the Maldives on his behalf to transfer him to house arrest based on his health condition, but was rejected. He had gone on a hunger strike last year as well, but began eating after being hospitalised.
Speaking at a press conference in October 2019, Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla said international allies have shared various accusations against Yahya, adding it is dangerous to free a person with such allegations back to the community. The minister also explained Yahya had been instructed on several occasions to leave the Maldives, which he rejected. Imran said Yahya had claimed he had lost his passport, adding that due to the civil war, it is difficult to communicate with Yemeni authorities. He also said Yahya would be deported back to Yemen should he accept to do so, under the rights provided by the Controller of Immigration.
Several human rights advocacy groups had expressed concerns over the detention of Yahya for over 3 years without due process.