Maldivian court grants bail to Gayoom

A Maldivian court Sunday granted bail to jailed former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the country's longest-serving leader, a week after his estranged half-brother was defeated at a presidential election.

Gayoom, 80, and his legislator son Faris Maumoon were released by the High Court in Male after they mounted fresh appeals against their controversial convictions.

President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had urged incumbent Abdulla Yameen to free all political prisoners in the tourist paradise atoll nation after his shock victory at the September 23 election with the backing of all opposition parties, including Gayoom's party.