Six individuals, including the city council member for Hulhumalé constituency, Ibrahim Shujau, were arrested on Monday night from an opposition rally.
The Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) coalition held a rally near Majeedhee Magu and Sosun Magu, in Malé, calling for the release of former President Abdulla Yameen. Leaders of the opposition coalition and supporters of Yameen gathered in the capital, advocating for his release.
Shujau, who is also the Vice President of PNC, was arrested along with five members of the opposition.
Yameen is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence on bribery and money laundering charges. He was also ordered to pay a fine of USD 5 million. He was found guilty in late December of accepting bribes and money laundering through the lease transaction of Vaavu Atoll, Aarah.
The Criminal Court has scheduled to deliver the verdict on charges levied against the former President for the lease of Raa atoll, Fuggiri, today. He is being charged again for accepting USD 1.1 million in bribes for the lease of the island and laundering the money obtained from the transaction.
Yameen is currently not eligible to run in the upcoming presidential election as a result of the lengthy prison sentence. The opposition maintains that Yameen was sentenced to prevent him from running in the presidential election this year.
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