President: Apology owed for military intervention comments

Calling for foreign military intervention in Maldives is something which should be apologized to the general public for, says President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Speaking at PPM's gathering "Magey Gaum, Magey Dheen" – which translates to “My Country, My Religion” - at Alimas Carnival on Friday night, President Yameen said such calls for foreign military intervention in Maldives were unacceptable.

He said people who make such calls owe the general public an apology.

“You need to apologize to the people for calling for foreign military intervention in Maldives. It's a criminal offense,” said President Yameen.

The condemnation follows former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed’s tweet on February 6, calling for India to send an envoy, backed by the country’s military, to free former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and other political leaders.

He also appealed to the US government to obstruct all financial transactions by official’s working for President Yameen’s administration through US banks.

On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request:
1. India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence.
2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks.

— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) February 6, 2018

President Yameen said people who make such calls lack patriotism, and that the people should answer such people through the ballot box.

He said such people did not deserve forgiveness.

President Yameen said the coup attempt on February 1 was the most dangerous coup attempt in the country’s history. He said it was the police and the military which saved the State from the coup.