Corrections again probes Yameen for attending political event

Maldives Correctional Service states they are again probing former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom for visiting the office of People’s National Front (PNF), the new political party spearheaded by him, last night.

Yameen also signed for the party during his visit to the office last night.

Corrections told Sun that the law does not prohibit signing to a party as a general member. However, they noted that they are probing Yameen for visiting the office to attend a political event.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah on December 26, 2022.

He was transferred from Maafushi Prison to his home in Male’ City on October 1st, the day after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu – the candidate championed by the coalition between Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) - won the presidential election.

While Corrections later eased the terms of his home confinement, to allow him to leave the house for exercise and other such purposes, the law prohibits convicts from active involvement in political activities.

But he held several gatherings at the office of his former party, PPM, in late October, prompting Corrections to threaten to cancel the agreement with him, if he continues to violate the terms of the agreement.

But he continued to engage in politics.

Just a week after President Muizzu assumed office, the conflict within the PPM-PNC coalition boiled over, prompting Yameen to leave PPM to form a new party.

He has since been photographed at the PNF’s office.

Yameen’s active engagement in political activities has resulted in criticism against Corrections, with many questioning whether the former Maldivian leader is above the law.