Muizzu Asserts No Resentment Towards Yameen, Highlights Efforts for Release

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he holds no animosity towards former President Abdulla Yameen and emphasised that he has done everything possible to secure Yameen’s release.

In an interview with SanguTV, President Muizzu refuted recent accusations made by Yameen and members of his party, the People’s National Front (PNF), during their rallies.

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Muizzu recalled that during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, he had actively defended Yameen against numerous charges and had been committed to his release. Muizzu expressed his satisfaction upon learning of Yameen’s release from his initial prison sentence.

“I was overjoyed when Yameen was freed,” Muizzu said. “We explored various avenues to secure his release. If Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has not deleted them, my messages to him will still be on his phone.”

Muizzu revealed that he had repeatedly requested Yameen’s temporary release to spend Ramadan with his family and to attend his child’s O-level exams, reaching out to both Solih and key ministers at the time.

He also outlined his efforts through the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) to facilitate Yameen’s release, including organising initiatives and providing financial support. He added that during last year’s Presidential election, advocating for Yameen’s freedom was a top priority, and he was prepared to transfer the party candidacy to Yameen if he had been eligible.

Muizzu continued that he only decided to run for President after the Supreme Court ruled that Yameen could not contest, and PPM leadership believed winning the election was crucial for Yameen’s release.

Muizzu, along with Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla, arranged for PPM leadership to visit Yameen during his house arrest following Muizzu’s election victory.

“My intentions have always been clear. My actions and efforts were focused on securing Yameen’s freedom,” he affirmed.

In response to recent allegations from Yameen at PNF rallies, claiming that Muizzu had received money from former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to spy on Yameen and had been involved in the MMPRC corruption scandal, the President strongly denied all claims. He asserted that he has never engaged in espionage and has not accepted money from Adeeb or any other individual.

Yameen also alleged that Muizzu met with Adeeb during a recent trip to Singapore for a medical check-up. The President dismissed this as false, stating he has never been close to Adeeb and has not met him since the explosion on the presidential speedboat ‘Finifenmaa.’

Muizzu expressed surprise that Yameen would believe such allegations and questioned why those around Yameen were providing him with misleading information.