Nasheed greets Fathimath; calls for Yameen's release

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's wife Fathimath Ibrahim, who attended the opposition PPM-PNC's presidential campaign for the first time on Monday evening, shook hands with former President Mohamed Nasheed during the event, where he called on the release of Yameen.

PPM-PNC leader Yameen, whose 11-year prison sentence in the MMPRC corruption scandal, disbarred him from contesting the September 9 presidential election, has extended his support to PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz. At a time when rivals are alleging about Yameen’s absence and dissatisfaction with Muizz, Yameen’s wife attended an event at PPM-PNC's presidential campaign camp in the carnival area Monday evening.

After the small rally at the camp, the supporters gathered there formed a huge queue to greet Fathimath. The queue stretched from Dhon Manik View restaurant to the PPM headquarters on the same street. At the time, an event was also held at The Democrats' headquarters in the same area. Nasheed was also in the party camp at the time.

While Fathimath was greeting her supporters, Nasheed, seeing her, walked out of The Democrats' headquarters to get in line to greet her. Fathimath was near the King Salman Mosque greeting her supporters then.

After the two greeted each other, Nasheed said something in Fathimath's ear. And then, the two stopped for a photo.

Then the supporters started chanting 'Free President Yameen'. Nasheed joined them, raising his hand and calling out along with the crowd.

Then, again, he went back to The Democrats headquarters. Afterwards, Nasheed stood at the entrance of the party camp to watch the scene as supporters greeted Fathimath.

Nasheed has previously called for Yameen's release. Nasheed has repeatedly said that it is not fair for Yameen to be in jail alone over the MMPRC corruption scandal.