President Abdulla Yameen has filed a complaint at the broadcasting commission against RaajjeTV, less than 48 hours after the TV station paid off a MVR 2 million anti-defamation fine.

President Yameen filed the complaint over RaajjeTV allegedly violating his electoral and personal rights, his legal team said in a press conference on Monday.

In the press conference, Abbas Shareef, attorney and former High Court judge, said that they filed the complaint on behalf of the President after RaajjeTV’s broadcast of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s press conference on September 3 had violated anti-defamation and broadcasting laws.

MDP’s press conference on September 3 was regarding President Yameen’s alleged involvement in illegal oil trade.

Attorney Abbas Shareef said that they have requested the broadcasting commission to investigate and take legal action against RaajjeTV. He also said that they have decided to sue MDP and the individuals at the press conference for defamation.

He also said that President Yameen believes that the issue has a criminal component and so have requested the police service to investigate, adding that a complaint has also been sent to the elections commission due to President Yameen’s rights as a presidential candidate being violated.