MP Didi flown overseas for medical treatment

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi is currently in India for medical treatment, reports local media.

The retired brigadier general was hospitalised at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on March 1 and kept at the intensive care unit (ICU) for a heart test every six hours.

A friend of the mid-Hithadhoo MP told newspaper Haveeru is being treated at a specialist hospital for heart diseases in Kerala, adding that Didi’s blood pressure was also high.

Didi’s condition was now improving, he told the local daily.

The opposition MP is currently on trial on terrorism charges – along with former President Mohamed Nasheed and senior officers of the military – over the military’s detention of Criminal Court Chief Judge Abdulla Mohamed in January 2012.

Didi was Malé Area Commander at the time of the controversial arrest. Following his hospitalisation, the Criminal Court has not scheduled any further hearings in Didi’s trial.

After the first hearing, Didi asked whether the terrorism trial was his reward for risking his life in defence of the nation during the November 3, 1988 failed coup attempt by a group of Maldivians and Tamil mercenaries.

Didi – a corporal and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s bodyguard at the time – played a pivotal role on November 3 by carrying the keys of the armoury from Machangoalhi Kinbigasdhoshuge to the besieged military headquarters before soldiers ran out of ammunition.