Yameen's allegations at Adaalath for 'influencing judiciary' prompts response from top officials

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Monday accused ruling coalition partner Adaalath Party of influencing judiciary, prompting responses from the religious conservative party's leaders Imran Abdulla and Ali Zahir. 

Opposition presidential candidate Yameen who is on a tour of the northern islands, told his supporters in HA. Baarah that Zahir who serves as the president's chief of staff had been interfering in his trial as he fights money laundering charges related to the MMPRC corruption scandal that took place during his presidency. 

Yameen said the people believe that the government is not allowing the judiciary to function independently.

Yameen's comments were tweeted on the opposition PPM's official Twitter account. Responding to the tweet, Ali Zahir said that he was not very interested in Yameen's trial.

"I neither have any interest in him nor in his trial. Even when it is live on YouTube, I don't get a chance to see how his trial is going," said Ali Zahir, who has previously denied allegations of interference in the judiciary.

Imran described Yameen's remarks as a story told to children.

"I am surprised to see a person who was the president of the Maldives speaking like children," said Imran, who worked with Yameen in his government before severing ties and joining the then opposition movement.