Maldives independence jailed, not Yameen: Abdul Raheem

PNC President Abdul Raheem said on Thursday that even if former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is in charge of the opposition coalition, has been jailed, it was actually the country's independence that has actually been imprisoned.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 'Hope Conference' organised by the opposition PPM/PNC coalition, Abdul Raheem said that he would like to appeal to Yameen's supporters not to be disheartened in any way.

Abdul Raheem said that the coalition leaders had met Yameen after he was jailed for accepting bribes and money laundering on January 25, and during that meeting, Yameen requested him to send the message to his supporters.

It's not President Yameen who is in jail. The freedom of the countries what’s been jailed. The hope of tomorrow’s youth of the country is jailed. What has been jailed is the hope we Maldivians have for our country.

Abdul Raheem Abdulla / PNC President

Abdul Raheem said Yameen was in jail with a strong resolve and that he would "not bow down in front of the oppressors".

"He does not wish to even leave a fraction behind in the supreme sacrifice he has made for this country. He intends to not let this country go into slavery and to ensure this country’s sovereignty and  independence for its people," he said.

Talking about the Hope Conference, Abdul Raheem said:

"It's not President Yameen who is in jail. The freedom of the countries what’s been jailed. The hope of tomorrow’s youth of the country is jailed. What has been jailed is the hope we Maldivians have for our country," Abdul Raheem said.

Abdul Raheem said the efforts of the PPM/PNC coalition cannot be divided by "disruption" from rivals. He said the alliance had a "much stronger team".

"President Yameen has dreams for this country. He wants to colour those dreams. President Yameen wants this country to be a country of and for Maldivians. President Yameen does not want to see people coming from outside and beating our children with a whip," Abdul Raheem said, referring to the opposition's claim that Solih’s government was trying to take the Maldives into the hands of India.

"He doesn't want to his people to witness what is going on in Palestine and Kashmir, all the blood and tears that are shed."

Abdul Raheem said this belief was the main reason why Yameen was in jail.

"President Yameen will have the courage to say no to the people if they play with the freedom and patriotism of the Maldives, whether it is a big country, a small country, an eastern country, a western country or a northern country," he said.

Abdul Raheem added: