Have not tried to stage a coup, release Azim: President Maumoon

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom says that he had not tried to overthrow the Government and reiterated his calls to release former Managing Director of State Trading Organization Adam Azim. Azim was arrested on charges last week Thursday on charges of conspiring to overthrow the government, with the Criminal Court issuing a six-day remand sentence later in the day.

A statement released by the office of President Maumoon Saturday night said the opposition movement had never attempted to stage a coup. Therefore, the charges and intimidation against political figures were politically motivated and called to cease these activities.

Noting that Azim was removed from his position because he had dared to criticize the Government, Maumoon noted that he was an active member of the opposition. He said that Azim had been working tirelessly for freedom on his jailed brother former Defense Minister Colonel (Rtd) Mohamed Nazim who had been jailed for 11 years on trumped up charges of terrorism.

Maumoon reiterated his statements that the allegations against Azim are trumped up and posed no risk to society.