Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is serving an 11-year jail sentence for corruption and money laundering, is expected to be transferred to his residence today, according to local media reports.
With appeal hearings ongoing at the High Court, and the US$1 million fine suspended till the outcome of the hearings were determined, the former president’s defence had also submitted for Yameen to be moved to his residence. While the initial request had been denied, it has now been reported that the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) is currently working to transfer Yameen from jail to his residence and that he will be brought to Malé, from Maafushi Prison, shortly.
This development comes in the backdrop of President-Elect Mohamed Muizzu, during a speech acknowledging his presidential election win, calling on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to transfer the former leader from jail to his residence.
“I would like to ask President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih very respectfully and sincerely at this point in time to transfer our beloved President, President Yameen, home,” he said, adding that he felt it was the greater sentiment of the Maldivian people as well.
The government has yet to make any official, formal, statement on this development.