Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that he has a “full list” of those who influenced his trial. Yameen was speaking during a rally of his newly formed People’s National Front (PNF).

Senior officials of the current administration were involved in delaying the appeal hearing of his 11-year jail sentence, the former leader of the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) said. He did not go on to name names, however, saying he would do so when the time was right.

“While my case was going at the High Court, I know who among the senior officials working at the ‘garudhiya‘ headquarters meddled in order to do me harm. I have a full list and I know which judge they called on,” he said, referencing at least one senior official at the President’s Office.

He also accused some members of the party of working to annul his presidential candidacy which, according to Yameen, was led by a current minister — also not named.

“We don’t reveal their names because we don’t have time. They will know who we are talking about,” he said.

After the High Court appeal hearing reached a verdict, it was delivered just two days before the parliamentary elections.

As President-elect, Muizzu met with then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih but did not request his release, Yameen said.

“At that meeting, Muizzu did not say that President Yameen should be transferred home or that President Yameen should be released,” he said.

Yameen, however, was transferred to house arrest on 1 October, after President Muizzu had won the 2024 Presidential Elections.

“I had the opportunity to meet with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. I mentioned this [freeing Yameen] and told him that the people of this country have spoken out. He [Solih] decided the same thing in the interest of the country,” Muizzu had said commenting at the time of Yameen’s transfer.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison for allegedly taking bribes in the lease of Aarah Island in Vaavu Atoll. The High Court ordered the Criminal Court to reconsider the case. Earlier the Supreme Court had annulled a five year jail sentenced imposed on Yameen by the lower courts.

Yameen was also charged with alleged fraud in the lease of Fuhggiri. The case is pending at the lower courts and has not yet been heard due to administrative constraints at the Criminal Court.

Yameen also, during his speech, pointed to Muizzu’s monthly stipend of MVR 50,000 to PNC MPs as proof of the President’s fear of being impeached. While local media outlet ‘Adhadhu‘ had confirmed through sources that the MVR 50,000 per month is being paid to all sitting PNC MPs as a special allowance, Yameen highlighted that the removal of a sitting President is a matter of parliament consideration.

“Could that be why MPs are being given an allowance of MVR 50,000 in addition to their salaries?” the former President said.