Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom returned to Maldives on Tuesday night, after a short trip to Malaysia.
He was greeted at Velana International Airport by senior officials of the joint opposition including, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Jumhooree Party’s parliamentary group leader Abdulla Riyaz, former Youth Minister Maleeh Jamaal, former Minister at the President’s Office Abdulla Ameen, and more.
The former President, via twitter, thanked “all the senior members of the coalition” who were there to greet him at the airport.
Maumoon left to Malaysia on the 14th of this month, on a “short private visit” with his wife.
My wife and I are on our way to Malaysia on a short private visit.
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) October 14, 2017
While they were away, their son, Dhiggaru constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon was taken back to prison; where he has been since July. He was arrested on bribery allegations, with the Criminal Court ruling to keep him in detention until the end of trial. He has currently being tried on both bribery and identity theft charges.
Deeply concerned that Hon @ShimranAb & MP @afarismaumoon have been taken back to prison. They must be freed immediately!
— Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (@maumoonagayoom) October 21, 2017
The former President’s return comes days after his successor and coalition partner, former President Mohamed Nasheed called on all opposition partners to unite behind a single candidate for the 2018 presidential elections. While JP has responded that they were prepared to discuss on the matter, Maumoon’s faction of the party is yet to make any official statements on the matter.
