No decision yet on Vice President’s impeachment, says PPM

Ruling party MPs say a decision on removing Vice President Ahmed Adeeb has not been reached yet, despite local media reports of an imminent impeachment motion.

MPs of the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) and its ally Maldivian Development Alliance (MDA) met with President Abdulla Yameen at 12:30 today, shortly after the president publicly announced he would not initiate an impeachment motion against Adeeb, despite saying his deputy is a suspect in an alleged assassination attempt.

Adeeb was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of links to an explosion on Yameen’s speedboat on September 28. The president escaped unhurt, but the first lady and two aides were hurt.

Local media are reporting that MP Abdul Raheem Abdulla proposed the motion, while MP Mohamed Waheed Ibrahim seconded it.

But, Abdulla said: “Nothing was decided at the meeting today.”

PPM spokesperson MP Ali Arif said: “A lot of people are making conflicting statements but that party hasn’t decided anything yet.”

Adeeb’s detention has been extended by 15 days.

Yameen today detailed a litany of charges against Adeeb, including obstructing the inquiry into the boat blast and corruption by exerting undue influence within the police force.

Soon after the blast, Adeeb approached the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and PPM MPs to impeach Yameen, he said.

Three soldiers arrested, for tampering with evidence, have links to Adeeb, he said. Materials that could be used to make bombs were found at their homes during raids, he added.

Yameen also revealed today the extent of political infighting, betrayal, deception and corruption within his administration.