Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC) have announced their decision to protest former President Abdulla Yameen’s detention.

On Monday, the former President was sent to Maafushi Prison, to be kept for the remainder of his trial over state money-laundering charges.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Fonadhoo MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla said he laments every second Yameen is kept in jail and that, as president, Yameen had contributed more than any other leader in the last 500 years.

He said that they will be holding a protest at the carnival area on Wednesday at 8:30pm, calling on authorities to release Yameen.

This is in contrast to PPM’s stance during Yameen’s administration, when the party condemned and ridiculed opposition protests.

Also, at the press conference, Villimale’ MP Ahmed Nihan said that the current government jailed Yameen out of spite.