Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) Senate passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for the immediate release of former President Abdulla Yameen, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the Maldives Marketing & Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption.
The resolution, approved by 89 senators from the PPM and PNC coalition, said the PPM presidential candidate Yameen was sentenced to jail by "creating false evidence". The resolution said the sentence was in violation of Islamic Sharia and laws.
It called on all coalition members to work together to overturn the verdict and free Yameen.
The resolution said “we call for his immediate release. The state has exerted excessive influence on the judiciary and intimidated judges. The people's trust in the judiciary, justice system and investigative agencies has been lost." The resolution also said that the security forces are using excessive force to prevent people from exercising their right to strike and assembly.
The resolution said the government is occupying the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution and that security forces are using excessive force to prevent people from exercising their right to protest.
PPM/PNC senate has also accused the government of paralysing the power of independent institutions.
The opposition coalition called for the resignation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the release of statements to free Yameen and to initiate protests across the country.
Stating Yameen was imprisoned to deprive him of his right to contest the presidential elections, the senators passed a resolution and agreed to do everything necessary to free Yameen.
PPM and PNC pledged to stand together in this endeavor and renewed their resolve not to allow a divide in the party.
Speaking on the resolution, former Defense Minister, Meedhoo MP Adam Shareef said that Maldives is witnessing an "unprecedented cruel and dictatorial government".
Adam Shareef said he would remain unwavering in his determination to free Yameen.
PPM Spokesperson Heena Waleed said there is nothing much the state can do by putting Yameen in jail and that he would come to power in 2023.
Guraidhoo MP and PPM Vice President Ghassan Maumoon expressing his support of the resolution said that the state cannot silence Yameen by putting him in a cell and that his name will be on the ballot paper in the upcoming presidential election.
Before the Senate session concluded, PNC Vice President Abdul Raheem, who presided over the opposition coalition, said the government had gone to extremes in oppressing Yameen.
“We should then think about not giving into injustice and work towards freeing President Yameen at the earliest,” he said.
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