The conviction of former President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives for charges under anti-terrorist legislation "raises very serious questions about due process of law and risks undermining people's trust in the independence of the judiciary," the EU said here Saturday.
"Respect for rule of law, due legal process and independence of the judiciary, are central elements of the democratic process. All citizens must be treated in accordance with these provisions, to which the Maldives have a binding obligation," stated Catherine Ray, spokesperson for EU High Representative Federica Mogherini in a statement.
"Should the conviction be appealed, the appeal process must be fair and transparent with former President Nasheed being accorded all his rights, including adequate access to his lawyers," it noted.
The EU called on all sides in the Maldives to act responsibly and uphold constitutional freedoms.
A court in the Maldivian capital Male on Friday sentenced Nasheed to a jail sentence for 13 years he is guilty of ordering the arrest of a judge while in office in 2012.