The opposing PPM-PNC coalition is working to have their leader, former President Abdulla Yameen, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence for money laundering and corruption, transferred to home arrest.
The Criminal Court, on December 25 last year, convicted President Yameen of accepting bribes and money laundering and sentenced him to 11 years in jail. President Yameen will not be able to contest the upcoming presidential election until the Criminal Court's conviction is quashed by a higher court. President Yameen's lawyers are confident that the High Court will release him within this month.
Speaking at a press conference held by the PPM-PNC coalition, PNC's Vice President Ibrahim Shujau said the party's lawyers are doing everything possible to transfer President Yameen to home arrest. The party hopes to have him moved home and staying with his family for Ramadan, he said.
Yameen filed an appeal against his jail sentence in the High Court last month. However, the opposition coalition has expressed serious concern over the delay in accepting the case. The coalition leaders have also visited the High Court several times to express their concerns.
