Solih refutes Muizzu’s claims on Yameen’s house arrest transfer
Solih confirmed that Yameen’s account was accurate, dismissing Muizzu’s statements.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Sunday that former President Abdulla Yameen's transfer to house arrest after the 2023 presidential election was not at the request of the winning candidate, now President Mohamed Muizzu.
Solih made these remarks during an interview on Raajje TV.
Yameen, who had been serving an 11-year prison sentence since December 2022, was transferred to house arrest following Muizzu’s victory in the presidential election. However, differing accounts from Solih, Muizzu, and Yameen have emerged about the circumstances surrounding this decision.
President Muizzu has previously claimed that Yameen’s transfer was made at his request. He said he had personally appealed to Solih for Yameen’s release, adding that evidence of this communication could be found on his phone.
In contrast, Yameen has alleged that Muizzu sought to influence the legal process to prevent his release. Yameen also claimed that Muizzu and Abdul Raheem Abdullah, the current Speaker of Parliament, were taken by surprise when he was transferred to house arrest.
During the interview, Solih confirmed that Yameen’s account was accurate, dismissing Muizzu’s statements. He explained the sequence of events leading to Yameen’s transfer:
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Solih congratulated Muizzu on his election victory in a phone call on September 30, during which Muizzu made no request regarding Yameen.
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During their meeting on October 1, Muizzu also did not raise the matter.
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Solih informed Muizzu and Abdul Raheem during their meeting that arrangements were already underway to transfer Yameen to house arrest.
“I told them that the transfer process was in motion, and Yameen was on his way. They were visibly surprised, indicating they were unaware of this development,” Solih said.
Solih acknowledged receiving messages from several politicians, including Muizzu, during Yameen’s earlier five-year prison term, requesting his release. However, he clarified that no such appeals were made during Yameen’s 11-year sentence.
“There was no request to transfer Yameen to house arrest during that time. The decision was made independently,” Solih stated.
Yameen was convicted in December 2022 for his role in a lease transaction case. Following Muizzu’s election victory, Yameen was moved to house arrest. In April 2024, the High Court overturned Yameen’s conviction and ordered the Criminal Court to reconsider the case.
Yameen currently faces two additional cases in the Criminal Court, but these hearings have recently been delayed.
