Opposition seeks support from foreign diplomats to free ex-President Yameen

The opposition coalition, composed of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), has begun seeking support from foreign governments to free the opposition leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery in December.

The opposition coalition met with the Pakistan High Commissioner Vice Admiral (Retired) Muhammad Fayyaz Gilani on Tuesday, and discussed their efforts to free Yameen.

PNC’s parliamentary group leader, Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef Umar told Sun on Wednesday that the opposition planned on holding discussions with additional foreign diplomats.

“We will hold discussions on freeing President Yameen with additional embassies,” he said.

The opposition coalition describe the conviction against Yameen as a “haram conviction”, and continue to support Yameen as their presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.