Former President Yameen Warns Jailing Him Would be ‘Biggest Mistake’ for Pres. Muizzu Administration

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has said that imprisoning him would be “the biggest mistake” the current administration could make, accusing the government of trying to intimidate him and alleging political influence over the judiciary.

Speaking at a function held by the People’s National Front (PNF) at Artificial Beach last night, Yameen said that the previous administration of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had hoped to stop him by imprisoning him. “Where is he today,” Yameen said, referring to Solih.

advertisement

advertisement

advertisement

Yameen told supporters that the government was attempting to intimidate him, but said it was “intimidating the wrong person”. He also claimed he was aware of what he described as a lack of public support for President Mohamed Muizzu, and said any move to imprison him would further erode that support.

Yameen referenced his past convictions. He had been sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of accepting bribes. The High Court had ordered the Criminal Court to review the case. He had previously been sentenced to five years in prison in another case, which was dismissed by the Supreme Court.

He has been charged in connection with an alleged corruption scandal regarding the lease of Raa Fuggiri. The case remains pending in the lower court.

Reiterating his claim that the current administration is influencing the judiciary, Yameen said the entire judicial system needed to be “reset”, and warned that if he returned to power he would “reset” the judiciary. Addressing the crowd at the event, he said: “So I’m asking you to reset the judges. Otherwise, if we get the opportunity to govern, we will reset.”