Pres asked Solih not to release Yameen: PNF

People's National Front (PNF) on Sunday alleged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu requested previous president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih not to release the former president and PPM leader Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom from prison.

The party alleged Muizzu made the request stressing he gets to release Yameen instead of Solih.

At the PNF rally held on Sunday evening, the party's Secretary General and former Minister of Technology Maleeh Jamaal has called the former government to release the agenda on the meeting held between former President Solih and his cabinet on October 01st, 2023 following the presidential election run-off.

"If they release the agenda, it would specify the following, that president-elect Muizzu contacted me [Solih], asking not to release Yameen, and that he [Muizzu] will be the one to release the former president," Maleeh alleged.

According to Maleeh, President Muizzu made the request to Solih after Yameen's supporters protested for his release that evening.

"President Muizzu contacted Channel 13 to stop that protest, and [President's Special Advisor] Abdul Raheem contacted as well. What were they trying to stop? The public had gathered following election results calling to release president [Yameen]," Maleeh said.

The former minister also questioned why Muizzu was stalling the delay of Yameen's release.

Maleeh further claimed the Maldivian citizens entrusted one primary responsibility, which was to release Yameen. He said President Muizzu did not fulfill his responsibility, and should be impeached.

"I would prefer to hold a presidential election this year, because they have betrayed the public's trust, they have deceived the people," Maleeh said.

During the rally, Yameen thanked the current Parliament Speaker Mohamed Aslam when he earlier announced MDP will submit Yameen's appeal delay to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) to expedite the case.

Subsequently, Yameen questioned why President Muizzu had not submitted the matter to the JSC as well.

After Muizzu won at the presidential election last year, he requested from outgoing president Solih to shift Yameen under house arrest. The former PPM leader was transferred to his Male' City residence some time on the following day's afternoon.