Family: Yameen knows 'very well' Judge Shakeel cannot be bribed

“President Yameen and his allies know very well that Ahmed Shakeel wouldn’t take a bribe. They are the ones who know this the best. This is saying a lot. And they don’t just know this without reason.”

The Criminal Court issued an 11-year prison sentence against the opposition leader, former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom on Sunday. The conviction sparked hatred and threats against the court’s chief judge Ahmed Shakeel, who had presided over the trial.

Shakeel’s uncle, Deputy Home Minister Aboobakr Abdul Kareem told Sun on Thursday that different family members have been receiving threats since the ruling.

The opposition is violating the dignity and honor of the entire family on baseless allegations, he said.

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development during his administration. In addition to the 11-year prison sentence, the opposition leader was also imposed a fine of USD 5 million.

The conviction was vehemently rejected by the opposition.

Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and its coalition partner People’s National Congress (PNC) described the conviction as a ‘haram conviction’, and accused Shakeel of making the conviction to appease the government and India.

Yameen’s supporters have taken to social media platforms to circulate photos of Shakeel turned upside down and manipulated.

Shakeel and members of his family have been receiving multiple threats both on and outside social media.

Aboobakr described the reaction as “uncivilized acts unfit for a democratic society”.

“There’s nothing more uncivilized than this. And there’s no greater threat to safety and security of the people,” he said.

Aboobakr believes that everyone must respect court rulings.

“I want to say something very important. President Yameen, his allies, and the leadership know very well that we cannot be bribed. They are the ones who know this best. This is saying a lot,” he said.

Aboobakr accused opposition leaders of deliberately misleading general PPM members and using lies and deceit to slander the family.

He said the family was facing alarming threats, ridicule and harassment as a result.

“I looked after him from childhood. He would not issue any ruling unless its just no matter what,” he said.

“I know very well that he will try to ensure each and every one of his rulings is just, whether he is killed, imprisoned, dismissed, or tortured.”