Following the election of Dr. Mohamed Muizzu as the President of Maldives, former President Abdulla Yameen's legal team has called for dropping all charges against Yameen. They argue that this decision aligns with the will of the Maldivian people, as expressed through the election.
In a statement released after Dr. Muizzu was confirmed as the next President of Maldives, Yameen's legal team said that citizens of Maldives have been protesting against the "political charges and unjust verdicts" against Yameen for the past four years.
“According to the people’s decision, without any additional conditions, we call the Maldivian government and all relevant authorities to immediately release president Yameen, and to withdraw all the charges pressed against him,” the statement said.
It is a political pledge of Dr. Muizzu, to transfer Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for bribery and money laundering in the Vaavu atoll Aarah lease case, to house arrest on the first day of his presidency. During his first press conference after confirming his victory, Dr. Muizzu requested incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to facilitate the transfer of Yameen to his residence.
Dr. Muizzu won the second round of the election by defeating Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) candidate, current president, president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
According to provisional results, Dr. Muizzu secured 126,612 votes, while the incumbent president received 108,180 votes. Dr. Muizzu is set to be sworn in as the president of Maldives on November 17.
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