President: Justice for Yameen is in country’s best interest; I’m not preventing it

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that having former Maldivian leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom get justice is what is best for the country, adding that his administration is not obstructing his court case.

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that justice for former Maldivian leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is what is best for the country, adding that his administration is not obstructing his court case.

Justice for former Maldivian leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is what’s best for this country, said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Sunday, adding that there was not a single official in his administration who would obstruct the former president’s court case.

President Muizzu, who is currently on a tour of Addu City, made the remark on Sunday night, during a gathering for residents of Feydhoo.

Yameen, the former leader of the ruling PPM-PNC coalition, was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2022 on charges of bribery and money laundering in connection to the sale of V. Aarah.

Yameen has appealed his conviction with the High Court. While the appellant court wrapped up its hearings three months back, it has yet to deliver a verdict.

Speaking at the gathering in Feydhoo, President Muizzu expressed concern over stalled court case. He said that the delay in justice is not right.

“I believe that this long delay in justice to President Yameen will not bring stability to this country. He has the right to justice. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.

President Muizzu said that his administration will not exert any influence over the judiciary.

There is not a single person within this administration who would hinder or influence Yameen’s court case, he said.

President Muizzu said that the judiciary gained its freedom the day he took office.

He said that domestic stability is one of his key priorities. He said that his administration would not engage in acts of political retaliation.

“Our country can only know stability with our political leaders allowed to work freely,” he said.

Yameen was transferred home on October 1, 2023 – a day after President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won the presidential elections. But less than a week after President Muizzu took office in November, Yameen left the ruling coalition, and initiated efforts to form a new party, the People’s National Front (PNF).

His aides allege that the former Maldivian president was deliberately sidelined from PPM-PNC’s activities. They have also accused President Muizzu of failing to deliver his promise to free Yameen.

Yameen’s close aide and lawyer, former Maldivian vice president Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed reacted to President Muizzu’s comments on Sunday as just another attempt to use Yameen’s name to win votes.

“They have begun to use President Yameen’s name again for the election,” wrote Jameel on X, referring to the upcoming parliamentary elections. “What did you promise? Have you freed him? Fear Allah! Try to win the election based on your own strength? The people will not be fooled twice.”

He also accused the administration of influencing “a specific judge” in High Court.