Give me chance without protesting to free Yameen, Muizzu appeals to supporters
Muizzu noted that Yameen had been transferred to his home on the day following Saturday's election victory.
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President-elect Dr Mohamed Muizzu on Monday urged supporters of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who is serving an 11-year sentence in an MMPRC corruption scandal case, to allow him time to free the PPM-PNC leader without taking to the streets calling for his release.
Muizzu made the appeal at his victory rally at Social Centre on Monday evening.
Opposition PPM-PNC candidate Dr Mohamed Muizz, who advocates for stronger ties with China, defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, known for his pro-India stance, in the second round of the presidential election held on Saturday, according to provisional results.
With all 584 ballot boxes now counted, Muizz leads the polls with 126,499 votes or 53,54%, while President Solih received 108,735 or 46.22% votes.
Muizz will be sworn in as president in November.
Noting that Yameen had been transferred to his home on the day following Saturday's election victory, Muizzu said he had met the media following his victory and called for Yameen's release.
"From the very first day, I said that if I was elected, I would call on the government to transfer him home even during my first press conference. That's how I did it," he said.
By November 17, if Yameen is not freed within the current system, his government will free Yameen, Muizzu said.
"He will not be free because the government is influencing him. The President's Office is influencing the courts. So I am saying that day will be the day that influence comes to an end. At that point he will be free," Muizzu said.
Muizzu asked his supporters to give him the opportunity to free Yameen within the rules.
“So I would like to ask you to give me the opportunity to do this. Especially I would like to ask the members of our two parties to give me the opportunity,” Muizzu said.
"I don't want you to go out on the streets and hold rallies. I ask you not to do that. I ask you to give me the opportunity to do this in diplomatic way."
Despite Muizzu urging PPM-PNC supporters not to take to the streets to demand the release of Yameen, after Monday's victory rally, Yameen's supporters gathered near his residence and shouted for his release.
Yameen encouraged the supporters from the window of his house.
