Saudi's endorsement of Yameen's running mate shows 'support for violent extremism in Maldives', says Nasheed

Opposition leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that President Yameen's choice for a running mate shows "Saudi support for violent extremism in the Maldives".

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, the former president accused the President's pick for a running mate, Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed of being "an alleged recruiter for Islamic State", who has been endorsed by Saudi Ambassador to the Maldives, M. Bader Al-Kahail.

Ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) last Friday announced that its presidential candidate, incumbent President Abdulla Yameen has chosen Dr. Shaheem as his running mate. He was the first Islamic Minister of the current administration, but resigned following his party's council decision to withdraw from the government. However, he returned later, as the Chancellor of the Islamic University of Maldives.

In a tweet posted on Monday, Ambassador Al-Khalil congratulated his "brother" on being nominated as ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s post of Vice President in this year's presidential elections, adding he prays for him to be appointed and 'benefited'.

Nasheed said that all this shows "everything you need to know about Saudi support for violent extremism in the Maldives".

Saudi Arabia has been described as “both the arsonists and the firefighters" in the fight against violent extremism.