Maldives Reform Movement (MRM) has called on authorities to conduct an investigation into statements made by former President Abdulla Yameen during a campaign rally in Villimale’.
In a press statement, MRM accused former President Yameen of disseminating disinformation and making statements that implied that he would abuse his authority and influence the judicial system if he were to be re-elected, in order to jail his political opponents.
Furthermore, MRM denied Yameen’s allegations against its leader and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, claiming that he was the leader behind an attempt to overthrow the government via a Supreme Court order on February 1, 2018. MRM stated that Yameen had refused to obey the court order and that his government had ordered civil servants to commit unconstitutional acts. It highlighted that his government had arrested the justices as well as activists and political leaders including Maumoon, President of MRM Faris Maumoon, and executive members of the party.
Additionally, MRM stated that Maumoon had never attempted to overthrow the government and noted that Yameen was elected with his endorsement. As such, the party stated that Maumoon had always worked to reform Yameen’s administration from within the government and the ruling party and was later forced to work with the opposition during the 2018 presidential election after he was unable to eliminate the high level of corruption and tyranny within the government.