Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) coalition has refused to comment on the delays on the acquittal of former President Abdulla Yameen.
The former President was convicted and imprisoned for 11 years on the charges of money laundering and graft.
Yameen exited from PPM within less than a week of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's inauguration. Following his resignation from the party, Yameen founded his own party, the People's National Front (PNF).
The PPM/PNC coalition on Wednesday evening, December 6, appointed President Muizzu as the leader of the coalition to fill the vacuum left in the wake of Yameen's exit.
The coalition appointed President Muizzu as its leader at the ceremony held to inaugurate the new office of PNC.
At the ceremony, President Muizzu's Special Advisor and PNC Chairperson Abdul Raheem Abdulla had refused to respond to questions about the delays in Yameen's acquittal.
Despite repeated efforts to raise the question, Abdul Raheem continued to deflect it.
In justification, Abdul Raheem claimed that the press conference held following the inauguration of the new PNC office was to inform the media about the coalition's decisions for the upcoming parliamentary election.
"The press conference is to highlight the decisions made by the PPM/PNC coalition. There is no plan on answering to any questions unrelated to this," Abdul Raheem said.
"President Dr. Muizzu has already promised to address all such matters within their legal boundaries, and with that being said, such matters would get their due conclusion within the established legal system and there is no further question about it. President Muizzu's administration will not coerce the judiciary."
During his presidential campaign, Muizzu pledged to shift Yameen under house arrest on the first day of his presidency, and further affirmed the former president's transfer home would follow within the judicial protocols.
"If Yameen is not changed to his house by the time I assume presidency, I will ensure he is transferred home. This means that we will strengthen the efforts we launched yesterday, succeed in this endeavor and release him," President Muizzu said during the first round of the presidential election.
Yameen transferred home on the day following President Muizzu's presidential election win.
Meanwhile, former President Yameen's appeal at the High Court has reached to sentence hearing.
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