Security boosted at Gayoom’s residence after alleged death threat

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) increased security around the residence of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom after receiving a report of a death threat, according to local media Mihaaru.

The military is recording the names of everyone coming in and out of the residence.

Gayoom is currently working with the united opposition to field a single candidate for presidential elections this year.

MNDF has yet to make an official statement about this decision.

The move has been criticised on social media by opposition activists who believe it was orchestrated to keep tabs on visitors.

“This is house-arrest without sentencing. The aim of it is to be a hindrance to the fast-tracked progress made by the opposition for the presidential elections and to stop the work being done by President Maumoon,” said opposition spokesman Ahmed Mahloof.

Last March, Gayyoom’s military bodyguards were prevented from accompanying him on a private visit to India shortly after Gayoom declared support for a motion of no-confidence submitted by opposition politicians to remove speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed.