Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, sentenced to five years incarceration for money-laundering charges, is currently detained at Male' prison under special protection, says Maldives Correctional Service.

The media official from Maldives Correctional Service told RaajjeMV, that Former President Yameen has been temporarily placed in Male' prison to serve his sentence as per the admission process established for all detainees facing imprisonment.

When asked if the former president is afforded special consideration for being a political figure, the official responded that Yameen has been given special protection and refused to comment on the conditions of the location where Yameen is being detained. The official claimed that that information will be shared at a later date and that the media will be informed if the former president is transferred to another location.

As such, political figures have been previously detained in a special jail cell in Maafushi prison. The jail cells were built during the Former President's time in office. Yameen was placed in one of these cells when he was detained under a warrant issued by the Criminal court.