The United States, India and rights groups said that they were troubled by the trial of former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed and sentencing to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of terrorism for ordering the arrest of a judge. 

"The prosecution's evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Nasheed ordered the chief judge's arrest or forceful abduction and detention on Girifushi Island," Judge Abdulla Didi said in the court in the capital, Male. The three-judge bench's verdict was unanimous. Office of President Abdulla Yameen denied that the prosecution was political.

The U.S. embassy said it was "particularly troubled" by reports that the trial was not in line with Maldivian law and the country's international obligations. This included the denial of legal representation to Nasheed and concerns about the independence of the judges. "We call on the government of Maldives to take steps to restore confidence in its commitment to democracy and the rule of law, including judicial independence, and to ensure fundamental rights are respected," it said in a statement.

Syed Akbaruddin, a spokesman for India's Ministry of External affairs, said in a message that "India deeply concerned at developments in Maldives, monitoring the situation closely."

Human rights group Amnesty International said the conviction was a deeply flawed, politically motivated travesty of justice.

By Premji