Yameen: If Muizzu Is Concerned About Prison Conditions, Why Not Make It Five-Star?

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has issued a strong rebuttal to remarks made by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu regarding the treatment of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, and Justice Ali Hameed during their imprisonment.

President Yameen made these remarks shortly after President Muizzu recently recounted his memories of that period, stating that witnessing the arrest of Supreme Court justices following the removal of the court's roof, and seeing former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom—who ruled for 30 years—behind bars, was a deeply distressing experience.

Responding to President Muizzu's remarks during a rally held at the PNF front office on Sunday night, former President Yameen stated that the facility where former President Maumoon was held was not exclusive to him. Yameen noted that both former President Mohamed Nasheed and he himself had previously been detained there. He further challenged President Muizzu, suggesting that if he were so concerned about the conditions, he should upgrade the facility to a "penthouse" or five-star standard. Additionally, Yameen remarked that the facility is likely to house future presidents as well.

Speaking on the conditions under which the judges were detained, President Yameen stated that they were not held in ordinary cells. He noted that they were kept in the 'Special Protection Unit,' located separately from the main prison area, emphasizing that this facility is not accessible to general inmates.

President Yameen noted that during his incarceration, the prison experienced power outages on two separate occasions. He stated that during those moments, prison officers prioritized ensuring the safety and security of the former presidents and other high-profile individuals under special protection. In a lighthearted tone, President Yameen further remarked that the facility was specifically designed to house high-profile inmates.

"If you truly care, then by all means, turn it into a penthouse. Upgrade it to five-star standards; we would be more than happy. The claims regarding the conditions where Abdulla Saeed and Ali Hameed are being held are nothing but blatant lies. They are not being kept in ordinary prison cells. They are held in a facility separate from the main prison complex. It is a detached unit, entirely isolated from the general inmate population. This facility is known as the Special Protection Unit, and regular prisoners do not even have access to that area."

President Yameen

At the same time, Yameen remarked that Supreme Court justices are not "angels" but ordinary human beings. Speaking at the gathering, he further stated that the Maldivian people are well aware of the reasons behind President Maumoon’s imprisonment.