Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has said that he supports changing the current government, even before this year’s presidential election.

The leader of the ruling party’s opposition faction said this at a ceremony held on Thursday night to commemorate the over 1,000-day imprisonment of Imran Abdulla, leader of Adhaalath Party (AP).

In the ceremony, Gayoom also emphasized the importance of the opposition coalition fielding a single candidate for the upcoming elections.

Speaking on the AP leader’s imprisonment, Gayoom said he is an honest man who made a tremendous sacrifice for the Maldivian people on the 2015 ‘May Day’ protest.

Noting that Imran was unlawfully arrested, Gayoom said Imran was imprisoned after being convicted in a sped-up trial on trumped up charges.

He also said that Imran, as well as himself, had worked hard for reform by meeting with government officials prior to withdrawing support for the current administration, "but with no results".

He called on authorities to release Imran immediately so that he can reunite with his family.

Gayoom also appealed for the release of others arrested at the mass 2015 protest, as well as the exoneration of self-exiled opposition leaders, former President Mohamed Nasheed (leader of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhoree Party (JP) Qasim Ibrahim.

He added that the government should provide the necessary medical treatment for former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who has developed serious illnesses since his incarceration.

He also noted that his son MP Faris Maumoon, who was recently released from jail, was imprisoned for 191 days, even though state prosecutors were unable to prove his guilt.