Maldivian High Court in Male released former Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, 80, on bail on Sunday just a week after Abdulla Yameen was defeated in a presidential election.
Gayoom's legislator son Faris Maumoon was also released by the High Court. The bail was allowed after they filed fresh appeals against their controversial convictions.
The High Court released Gayoom on a bail of 60,000 rufiyaa ($3,900) and he was also ordered not to travel abroad without its permission.
Gayoom was serving a 19-month jail term for obstruction of justice and was also under trial on a "terrorism" charge.