PPM supporters rally in defense of ex-pres Yameen

Supporters of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) gathered in front of the party's office on Friday night to defend former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom who has been accused of corruption.

The demonstration was led by Ibrahim Muaz Ali, the former spokesperson of the President's Office, who also organised PPM protests before the Supreme Court ruled against Yameen 's bid to nullify the presidential election results.

The protesters claim that the allegations against Yameen are politically motivated and that the police would not be able to provide incriminating evidence against the former president.

Yameen has been issued a summons to appear at the police headquarters on Saturday at 1400 hours for questioning regarding the MVR 22.5 million deposited into his Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) account about two weeks before the 2018 presidential elections held on September 23.

Several PPM supporters stated that they were ready to accompany Yameen to the police headquarters.

Leader of the Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) Mohamed Nasheed expressed support for the former president, at the protest, and stated that the allegations against Yameen were false.

According to Nasheed, last night's demonstration marked the beginning of a new political movement which would culminate with PPM winning a majority in the upcoming parliamentary elections and Yameen being re-elected president.

Last night's demonstration also saw heavy criticism aimed at the new administration, making it the first opposition protest following the inauguration of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on November 17.

The demonstrators state that, despite the government's aims to eliminate corruption, several top officials have been implicated in cases of corruption.

The police issued a statement which confirms that they are currently investigating allegations made by state financial institutions which claim that Yameen carried out illegal transactions when he still held the position of president. The police affirmed that they would take any necessary actions regarding the matter.

Yameen's bank accounts have been frozen in relation to the investigation.