Former President of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed today announced his candidature for next Presidential elections in the country scheduled for 2018. Addressing a press conference in Colombo today, Mr. Nasheed hoped that his civil and political rights will be restored by the current Maldivian government making him eligible to contest the elections. <br/><br/>Mr. Nasheed who became the first democratically elected president in 2008, is currently living in exile in London, after he was charged in corruption cases and served a jail term in 2015. The former President was in Sri Lankan capital to hold a meeting of his party named Maldives Democratic party(MDP). <br/><br/>He expressed confidence of winning party's ticket during primaries election but added that he is doubtful of the elections being held on time.<br/>Mr. Nasheed bemoaned that international community is not doing enough to restore democratic rights in the island nation as opposition parties and media face a crackdown in his country. He demanded targeted sanctions on leaders in power including President Mohammed Yameen.<br/><br/>S/B- Mohammed Nasheed, Former President of Maldives The former President also warned again growing influence of Chinese companies and government in the economic sector in Maldives terming it a new phase of expansionism where a nation can be bought without the need to invade it. He said the country's economy is in deep debt trap and a major part of loan is from China.

Former President of Maldives Mohammed Nasheed today announced his candidature for next Presidential elections in the country scheduled for 2018. Addressing a press conference in Colombo today, Mr. Nasheed hoped that his civil and political rights will be restored by the current Maldivian government making him eligible to contest the elections. <br/><br/>Mr. Nasheed who became the first democratically elected president in 2008, is currently living in exile in London, after he was charged in corruption cases and served a jail term in 2015. The former President was in Sri Lankan capital to hold a meeting of his party named Maldives Democratic party(MDP). <br/><br/>He expressed confidence of winning party's ticket during primaries election but added that he is doubtful of the elections being held on time.<br/>Mr. Nasheed bemoaned that international community is not doing enough to restore democratic rights in the island nation as opposition parties and media face a crackdown in his country. He demanded targeted sanctions on leaders in power including President Mohammed Yameen.<br/><br/>S/B- Mohammed Nasheed, Former President of Maldives The former President also warned again growing influence of Chinese companies and government in the economic sector in Maldives terming it a new phase of expansionism where a nation can be bought without the need to invade it. He said the country's economy is in deep debt trap and a major part of loan is from China.