Former President and main opposition leader Abdulla Yameen has once again heavily criticized India.
Speaking at a rally held in Male' City on Friday night, Yameen said the current government could imprison him to appease India, but that he would not bow down and be a sell-out to India. His comments come while the Criminal Court is preparing to deliver a verdict on the Aarah corruption case on Sunday, in which Yameen has been charged with accepting bribes and money laundering.
Yameen said many activities being carried out by India in the Maldives are unacceptable to him and greatly disliked. He also described the loans given by India in the name of aid to the Maldives as useless as they are not utilized for beneficial projects.
"But some people are profiting from the loans. The whole country has been sold for loans taken from India," he said.
President Yameen said he could be imprisoned if Prime Minister Narendra Modi was displeased with his speech against India. But his voice cannot be silenced, and his soul cannot be bought, he said.
Yameen said even the weakest person who wants justice has the same right as everybody else. Judges who fail to ensure that right will be identified and held accountable, he said.
If convicted of the two charges in the Aarah case, President Yameen faces a seven-year sentence.
