Opposition launches protests over ex-president’s jailing

Hours after the verdict was delivered on Thursday afternoon, the joint council of the Progressive Party of Maldives and People’s National Congress decided to award the opposition coalition’s 2023 presidential ticket to Yameen and stage nationwide protests along with a civil disobedience campaign.

The 60-year-old opposition leader was found guilty of of investing US$1 million deposited to his bank account by a company that was used to channel resort acquisition fees stolen during his administration. But the charges were politically motivated, the trial was “grossly unfair” and the conviction was a “miscarriage of justice,” the opposition contended.

On Friday night, supporters protested outside the custodial centre in Malé’s ring road where Yameen was held, as the Maldives Correctional Services conducted medical checkups before transferring the inmate to the main prison on Maafushi island the following day.