Male’ City Mayor arrested from opposition’s protests

The Mayor of Male’ City Dr Mohamed Muizzu has been arrested on Tuesday night from the demonstrations by the opposition against the jail sentence delivered against former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Spokesperson for PPM Heena Waleed confirmed to Sun that Dr Muizzu has been taken into the custody of Maldives Police Services.

The leadership of both parties took part in this protest. People were wearing T-shirts calling for the release of Yameen.

The opposition coalition, composed of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC), has launched serial protests in Male’ following the money laundering conviction against Yameen – who happens to be their presidential candidate for this year’s election.

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development on December 25. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison and imposed a USD 5 million fine.

The sentence against him had come a year after he was acquitted after getting convicted of similar charges in 2019.