Nazim: Yameen should be freed and allowed to contest in election

Maldives National Party’s (MNP) presidential candidate and leader, Dhangethi MP Mohamed Nazim has expressed concern over the imprisonment of the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom as the presidential election looms.

Speaking at a gathering held at MNP’s campaign house on Thursday night, Nazim stating Yameen should be freed and allowed to compete in the presidential election – called on the government to ensure justice for Yameen.

Nazim recalled his time in prison. Citing it was his wife that was the one who was most troubled when he was incarcerated – he stressed that jailing someone will also significantly impact their families.

“You tall think about what will happen to the family of someone when he or she is imprisoned. President Yameen has three children. I, nor my family, wish not for the imprisonment of anyone. A prison is not an easy place,” he said.

Nazim described the situation at present as ‘selective justice’ – reasoning that only Yameen had been repeatedly punished over the MMPRC graft scandal while it involves plenty of people.

“As the presidential election looms, our biggest concern is the imprisonment of a leader of a party who has been confirmed to contest in the election. President Yameen must not be in prison. He should be able to contest in the election,” he said.

Speaking further, Nazim said that should each president be jailed, there will be no end to the cycle. He emphasized that the practice would be eradicated under a governance of MNP.