Maldives health minister resigns over govt’s defiance to Supreme Court order

State health minister Hussain Rasheed’s resignation letter said, ‘It is not possible for my conscience to accept the lack of answers to the way the government is dealing with the orders of the highest court on state institutions.’

The Maldives’ state health minister said on Monday he has resigned from the administration of President Abdulla Yameen in protest against the government’s decision to not enforce a Supreme Court order freeing opposition leaders from prison.

Opposition supporters protest the government’s delay in releasing their jailed leaders, including former president Mohamed Nasheed, in Male on Sunday. (Reuters Photo)

State health minister Hussain Rasheed’s resignation is the first since the government defied Thursday’s court order and said it will resist any attempt to enforce the decision.

“It is not possible for my conscience to accept the lack of answers to the way the government is dealing with the orders of the highest court on state institutions,” Rasheed said in his letter of resignation, which was reviewed by Reuters.