Yameen attends first gathering in almost a year, leadership absent

Opposition PPM-PNC coalition’s leadership was absent from the first gathering attended by PPM’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, in almost a year due to his prison conviction, on Monday night.

Yameen, who 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, remained in prison for 10 months before he was transferred to home confinement. The former president was granted easement to terms of his home confinement by the Maldives Correctional Service on Friday.

Following the easements, Yameen visited PPM headquarters last night, and attended a gathering at the party centre tonight.

However, he was only accompanied by his lawyer, former vice president Mohamed Jameel Ahmed and former minister Mohamed Maleeh Jamal. None of the other leadership members of the PPM-PNC coalition attended tonight’s gathering.

Sun has learned that Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam was present at the beginning of the gathering, however, had left halfway through.

An official from PNC, who spoke to Sun on the condition of anonymity, reported being unaware of the gathering. The official added that Yameen’s participation in the gathering was made known to them via media.

Leadership members were absent during a meeting Yameen held with his supporters last night.

Despite the absence of leadership members from Yameen’s events, they have been in attendance at events held by president-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Neither PPM nor PNC has commented on tonight’s meeting.