Opposition requests to meet judge over Yameen's appeal case

Opposition parties have requested to meet High Court senior judge Shujau Usman over the prolonged case of former President Abdulla Yameen which is on appeal as well as to discuss other concerns by the opposition. 

The opposition parties expressed concern over the prolonged case of former president Yameen who was convicted of money laundering in December 2019. In a letter signed by PNC leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla, opposition parties said that the case where Yameen was convicted which was broadcast live on TV was perceived by many in the country as politically motivated. 

The letter also read that every day spent by Yameen in prison was a day that deprived him of justice.  

An appeal case was most recently held in the High Court in February 24, 2020. The opposition expressed concern over the prolonged case at court. 

Switching Yameen to house arrest under bail which was not provided to him and keeping him in prison during the appeal hearing would also create suspicions among the public regarding the impartiality of the judiciary which would in turn create public discontent. 

The letter also said that despite guidelines for conducting hearings of the High Court during the COVID-19 lockdown, the fact that Yameen, who had served a five-year term as President and remained as the only opposition leader of the country, remained imprisoned was very much connected with the public interest and peace. 

The opposition requested a meeting with the senior judge regarding the proceedings of the case and to express concerns over the matter as soon as possible, read the letter before concluding.