A motion submitted to the parliament calling for jailed former President Abdulla Yameen’s release, has been withdrawn.

It was submitted by Kaashidhoo constituency MP Abdulla Jabir, on Friday.

The motion called to free the former president due to the Covid-19 pandemic’s impact on the country’s economy as well as the standstill on the tourism industry. MP Jabir further called for discussions between Yameen and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, so that the country can use his connections to overcome the situation.

As such, the Kaashidhoo constituency MP noted Yameen’s close relations with China and Saudi Arabia during his tenure and added that he believed the former president could obtain assistance from these two nations in the fight against Covid-19.

Jabir also called on all put aside political differences and work together for the safety and security of the country and the people.

The lawmaker has since sent a letter to the speaker, revealing his decision to withdraw the motion. Jabir said that he made the decision to recall the motion as Yameen’s case is currently on appeal at the high court. He noted that the People’s Majlis debating on the matter during this process “was not the most appropriate” in a system of separation of powers.

However, the MP called to expedite the former president’s appeal process to ensure justice.

Yameen was convicted on money-laundering charges on 28th November 2019, after being found guilty of laundering USD through the state-owned Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) via a private company SoF, during his presidency. He was sentenced to five years in prison, and fined USD five million to be paid within in six months.