Former first lady\'s appeal to all Maldivians: vote for Solih \'to save the nation from tyranny\'

Former First Lady Nasreena Ibrahim, wife of jailed former strongman Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has appealed on citizens to cast their votes to joint opposition coalition’s Presidential candidat, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih so as to bring an end to the current administration’s unceasing tyranny.

In a video publicized on Thursday, Nasreena stressed that her husband, the former President has been spending all these days behind bars, ailing. Nasreena further highlighted she has approached all relevant institutions with a plea to transfer her husband to house arrest due to his worsening health condition. However, her pleas are yet to be answered by any of them.

“My husband was behind bars throughout the entirety of Ramadan, he spent two Eids [Eid-Al-Fitr and Eid-Al-Adha] inside prison. As the Islamic New Year rolled around in September, he still remained locked up. He has been significantly ailing throughout all these days. Doctors continue to assert that he must not be kept alone due to his diagnosis and that someone must be present with him at all times” said Nasreena.

The former first lady further claimed that like herself, there will not be a single citizen on Maldivian soil that will believe Gayoom has been fairly sentenced, or that he is guilty of any of the crimes for which he has been convicted.

Nasreena stressed that several families are going through the same loss and misery and that several Maldivians have fled the country out of duress.

Following this Nasreena called on all citizens to come out in defense of their rights and cast their votes for Solih in order to save the nation from President Yameen’s tyranny, to seek justice and to bring a positive change.

“There are several families under the same duress as us. Several parents, wives, children who have been deprived of justice. So, we have approached the citizens today, for the sake of my husband, for all of those who have been detained unlawfully, for all those who have fled the country out of duress. I ask you all to help us bring back justice to the nation” said the former First Lady.

Gayoom, the nation’s longest serving leader had been convicted over obstruction charges in mid-June and is serving a sentence of one year, seven months and six days in incarceration with additional charges including terrorism, pending against him. He has been diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo since his incarceration and doctors continue to assert authorities that someone must be present with Gayoom at all times as the 80-year-old poses risk of sudden collapses which may lead to serious injuries.