The government’s first foreign minister Dunya Maumoon said the government’s treatment of Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim and his son Ibrahim Siyad Qasim is alarming.

Former President Maumoon Gayoom’s daughter Dunya said this in a special interview with VMedia on Friday.

Dunya said the detention of Siyad Qasim, who had never participated in any political activity, is extremely worrying.

“I know very well the pain of his family to have such a person in jail for this long”, Dunya said.

Dunya said Qasim had always been very close to the Gayoom family and their imprisonment is very worrying. She said the prayers of her family along with her are always with Qasim and his family.

Dunya said she hopes Siyad Qasim is released soon and Qasim, whose service to the country in the political arena is invaluable, will be able to return and continue to serve the country.

“I pray for the both of them and wish them well”, she said.

Siyad was arrested under the State of Emergency on February 7, citing an investigation being carried out by the police.

Siyad was charged with offering bribes and ordered to be kept in detention pending the outcome of his trial by Criminal Court on March 21.

Many accuse that Siyad, who had never taken part in politics, was arrested as revenge due to the government's inability to arrest his father Qasim Ibrahim.

Others had called for his immediate release, saying that he was arrested on a baseless allegation.

Siyad Qasim’s trial on bribery charges is set to begin on Sunday.