Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) / People's National Congress (PNC) coalition senior official Ibrahim Shujau has responded to Parliament Speaker Aslam's statement last night where he claimed he would submit to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) his concerns about the delays in proceeding the appeal case for former President Abdulla Yameen, who is currently serving an 11 year prison sentence for money laundering and bribery.
In a campaign rally held in Addu last night, Aslam, who is a member of the JSC as Speaker of Parliament as well as the MP for North Hithadhoo constituency, stated that the delays in holding Yameen's appeal case is evidence that the government is interfering in the judicial process regarding Yameen's case.
"As I am a member of JSC through my capacity as Speaker of Parliament, I will submit the case [regarding Yameen's appeal] tomorrow, and ensure the matter is looked into," Aslam stated last night.
Shujau posted his response to Aslam's remarks on social media X today. He states that PPM/PNC has previously met with Aslam regarding the matter.
"That day, Aslam's reply was that Yameen must remain in jail. That he can only be transferred to house arrest once Ibu [former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih] is guaranteed a second term. But that even then, Yameen could not be freed. Even today, the powers are in your hands," Shujau said.
With Aslam's sudden declaration of concern about Yameen's case, criticism from government leaning politicians have arisen that his intention is to garner support from Yameen's supporters in the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Yameen, although serving a prison sentence, has now been in house arrest for about seven months after having been transferred from prison on a special request from President Dr Mohamed Muizzu after he won last September's presidential election.
However, Yameen's appeal case remains pending a verdict.
The government has asserted that it will not, under any circumstance, interfere with the judicial processes.
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