Time to stand up for political freedom: Ex-VP Jameel

Former vice president, and leader of the opposition coalition, Maldives United Opposition (MUO), Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed has called “to stand up for political autonomy” in the Maldives.

“It’s time for the people to stand up for political freedom. President [Abdulla] Yameen is scared to face a competitive political environment,” said Jameel, President Abdulla Yameen’s running mate in the 2013 presidential elections and his first VP, via twitter on Thursday evening.

The former vice president’s tweet comes less than 24 hours after former Minister of Home Affairs, Umar Naseer revealed that he met with Jameel and other MUO leaders in London, on Wednesday.

Umar said that he had “a very constructive discussion with VP Jameel and his team in London.”

Jameel living in exile in the United Kingdom, and his passport, along with former President Mohamed Nasheed’s, was revoked in September 2016.

Jameel flew to the UK days before he was impeached in a controversial vote, which was orchestrated to allow his successor, former vice president Ahmed Adeeb to take his place.

Adeeb has since been impeached via parliament as well, and is the main suspect in the explosion aboard the presidential speedboat in September 2015. President Yameen, First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim and members of the cabinet were aboard the launch at the time of the explosion.

Adeeb was arrested in October 2015, and remains in police custody and has been found guilty of various other charges. Adeeb denies any wrongdoing.