The opposition coalition has sought their incarcerated leader, Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s transfer to house arrest in time for the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan.

Comprising of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), the opposition made the request with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during a meeting held at their request on Wednesday.

Speaking to RaajjeMV regarding the request, the opposition revealed that they are concerned for Yameen’s health in having to remain behind bars for an extended period of time, given his deteriorating health.

In light of this the president has been requested for the lenience of transferring Yameen into house arrest for the fasting month, to which President Solih is to have responded that the government will look into what can be done under the legal mandate.

The President’s Office has confirmed to RaajjeMV that the imprisoned ex-President’s family has also made a similar request in lieu of his medical condition.

Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison on 28 November 2019, after being found guilty of laundering USD one million through state-owned MMPRC via a private company, Scores of Flair, during his presidential tenure. He was also slapped with a fine totaling USD five million, along with the jail sentence, to be settled within six months.

Yameen is also being tried for fresh new charges linked to the MMPRC scandal.