The President of the opposition People's National Congress (PNC), Abdul Raheem Abdullah, said on Wednesday that the recent High Court verdict was a victory for former President Abdulla Yameen and that this administration has been treating him unjustly.
The High Court on Tuesday quashed the Criminal Court's order that mandated Yameen pay MVR 52 million (USD 3.4 million) to the state. The three judges agreed to dismiss the lower court's order since it was made after the verdict for the case was released.
Abdul Raheem, who is currently leading the opposition coalition, which also includes the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), told Mihaaru news that Yameen's order to pay the hefty fine as part of the charges against him was null and void even when it was made. He said such a verdict should not have been issued when Yameen's side had already appealed the case.
"If they were going in the right direction... the PG [Prosecutor General] would not have requested the order. This just shows that this administration is working in various ways to hurt and inconvenience President Yameen," he said.
However, he regarded the High Court's decision to nullify the fine as a major victory for the justice system and establishing law and order in the country.
"Similarly, this was a huge win for President Yameen as well."
Abdul Raheem highlighted that the order to pay the fine was issued in response to a letter sent by the state, two months after Yameen was sentenced to prison. He also noted how the appeals court had deemed the lower court's order illegal. According to him, this was an indication of the unfair treatment Yameen has received from the current administration, as well as "proof" that there was government influence in the judiciary.
"Doesn't this show that we are not just saying baseless words? We're not the ones saying this; these were statements made by the High Court's bench."
"This shows the current administration is plotting against President Yameen in a systemic manner," the opposition leader said.
Abdul Raheeem reiterated yesterday that the charges pressed against Yameen were unjust but that the courts are proving Yameen will be freed. He said it was for these reasons that they do not have any questions in their hearts about whether Yameen would be able to contest the presidential election this year.
There has been speculation about Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence, being moved to house arrest soon.
Abdul Raheem said the request has been made to the government on multiple occasions to move Yameen to his residence for house arrest instead of detaining him at a prison facility.
"This is the third Ramadan that this government has kept President Yameen in prison. We have been requesting this since he was sent to prison. [We've requested this because] it's Ramadan; because this is the year his youngest son is sitting for his O'Level exams, we have asked in many ways."
He said this request has even been brought to the attention of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, in addition to other high ranking officials in the government.
"We talked to Corrections [the Maldives Correctional Service]. We've sent letters on behalf of the family. Despite all the work we have done, the government refuses to move him to his home. Therefore, we do not know whether President Yameen will be moved to his house or not. President Solih intends to harm, inconvenience, and ensure that President Yameen won't be able to run in the election," he said.
He said President Solih is aware that "this administration is over," since members of the ruling coalition government have distanced themselves from the incumbent president.
"He says he is going to lead the coalition, but in reality, there is no one with President Solih," he said.
Abdul Raheem also said that Yameen is the only political leader who has the ability to gain the most votes in an election. He added that they were confident that Yameen could win the election in the first round of voting.
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