Corrections: Yameen being monitored, will take action if agreement flouted

Maldives Correctional Service says that former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is being monitored by the service, and will be penalized if he breaks the terms of his home confinement.

Yameen, the leader of the opposition PPM-PNC coalition, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah on December 26, 2022.

He was transferred from his cell in Maafushi Prison to his home in Male’ City on October 1 – a day after PPM-PNC’s presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu won the Maldivian presidential election.

On Friday, Maldives Correctional Service relaxed the terms of his home confinement, allowing him to leave his home for medical care related purposes with prior permission from the service.

But Yameen was seen attending a gathering with his supporters at the PPM headquarters in Male’ on Sunday, sparking criticism.

A spokesperson from Maldives Correctional Service said on Monday that Yameen had been permitted additional concessions, which allow him to leave his home for exercise and to meet people he "absolutely wishes to", after sharing the information with the service first.

Correctional Service said the agreement with Yameen includes things he is prohibited from doing, and that his movements are being monitored.

“He has been informed that we will take action if the agreement is violated,” said the spokesperson.

Correctional Service did not say whether Yameen informed the service before attending Sunday’s gathering.

At the gathering, Yameen told the members that PPM remained the country’s strongest political party, and that PPM members do not need to leave for any other party, including its coalition partner PNC.

He said PPM’s greatest goal must be to teach and sell the party’s policies to the younger generation.

Yameen’s conviction is being appealed at the High Court.