Adeeb’s freedom, transfer was facilitated following SC ruling: Pres. Yameen

President Abdullah Yameen has stated that following the Supreme Court ruling to release jailed political rivals, arrangements were made to free and transfer former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to capital Male’.

He made the revelation in a rally held by ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM), at a time when right to assembly was curtailed under the State of Emergency.

Without referencing the Vice President directly, President Yameen said that the person who had conspired to carry out the explosion on the Presidential speedboat was also to be freed. He added that people should reflect on the danger to the entire society if such individuals were released.

RaajjeMV understands that following the Supreme Court ruling, jailed Dhiggaru Constituency MP Ahmed Faris Maumoon was also taken out of his jail cell to be transferred back to Male’. While the Constitution of the Maldives states that Supreme Court was the final authority, then Police Commissioner Ahmed Areef was removed from his position when he had attempted to implement the Supreme Court ruling.

President Yameen also alleged that US$ 150 million (MVR 2.3 billion) still remained to be recovered to the state, from the graft of state owned Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The funds, he said, will only be recovered when the perpetrator pointed to where it was hidden.

The President also said that Maldives was fully devoted to materialism.

He further added that in addition to releasing political prisoners, the opposition had conspired to remove him from power by using the Supreme Court. This process, President Yameen said, began from within the Parliament.

‘I am truly concerned that this does not concern those who had left the Party. These are direct attacks,’ he said, noting the various challenges he had faced.

Even if the Parliament had impeached him, the decision will be implemented by the Supreme Court, which was why the opposition was reaching out for a ruling by the apex court.

‘That’s why they were preparing the Supreme Court like one would prepare a bride for her wedding day,’ he said.

Describing the Supreme Court ruling as ‘a final nail’, President Yameen said it did not work as the ruler of the nation was ‘an obstinate man’.

He also said the opposition had tried to seek a warrant to arrest Attorney General Mohamed Anil, for refusing to implement the Supreme Court ruling. This was defeated as the remaining three Justices of the Supreme Court bench had refused to cooperate.

Describing the events of the past days, the President said that this was ‘an evil coup’. He said the individuals were ‘dignified plotters’.

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed, Justice Ali Hameed and Department of Judicial Administration’s administrator Hassan Saeed were arrested for having conspired to overthrow the Government. Justices Saeed and Hameed were arrested after security forces stormed Supreme Court premises.