The United States has welcomed the decision by the Maldives' Supreme Court to order the release of political prisoners and to reinstate elected members of parliament.<br/><br/>State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in Washington yesterday the US urges the Maldivian government to respect and abide by the Supreme Court ruling. Nauert said the US also strongly supports freedom of expression for all Maldivians and calls upon the government to uphold this fundamental freedom.