Surprised at Yameen's allegations, president says
The President noted that Yameen is now free because he does not influence the trial.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
President Muizzu has said on Friday evening that he only feels utmost respect towards former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and is surprised by his comments regarding the President.
PNF members and Yameen make various accusations against President Muizzu during party camp meetings. They also use the President’s photo to make jokes through presentations criticising the government's actions.
In these meetings:
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Yameen made an allegation about the MMPRC case and the relationship between the then Vice President Ahmed Adheeb and Muizzu
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There’s also been allegations that Muizzu has been trying to keep Yameen in jail and has been accused of influencing the trial
When asked about this in an exclusive interview with Sangu TV on Friday evening, the President said he was very surprised to hear such things from Yameen.
Regarding the allegations that he took money from Adheeb to spy, the President said he had never spied on anyone and would never do so. He also said he had not taken any money from anyone.
He said that he has never had a close relationship with Adheeb and he only met him as a colleague during the ministerial meetings, he said. Besides, no meetings or discussions have been held together with Adheeb have not met since the Finifenma incident, to date, he said.
"For sure, those who give him information are definitely giving false information. I am surprised that he believes these stories," he said.
The President added:
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I was one of those who worked closely with him in the Cabinet; every effort was made to produce results, faithfully
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In the 2018 campaign, he did everything he could to win a second term for Yameen with all his heart and soul. The party camp was built and fundraised by himself
“God knows [his sincere work done for Yameen]. So I am surprised that he is saying such things,” he said.
'Always respect Yameen'
The President said he was also surprised by the allegations that he was trying to keep Yameen in jail. He said he was among the closest in Yameen's defence since the trials began in the last government.
He said he had done a lot of work to date for Yameen’s release and even former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih would know how the President had pleaded with his predecessor to release Yameen. He said the messages would be on his phone.
In addition, he noted that Yameen is now free because he does not influence the trial. He only learned about the recent resumption of Yameen’s trials in the Criminal Court through media reports, he said.
He said he had to run for power as the opportunity was closed for Yameen and before that, he was there till the last moment accepting Yameen as a candidate and standing behind him. "Even after winning the election, my first call was for Yameen's release," he said.
"I will have respect for him then, today and tomorrow. There will always be respect," he said.
