President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom Monday lambasted former president Mohamed Nasheed insisting that the opposition leader cannot serve the people and the nation in self imposed exile.
Nasheed was jailed on terror charges after he was convicted and sentenced to 13 years in prison over the arbitrary detention of a sitting judge while he was president.
Nasheed now lives in self imposed exile in the UK after he was allowed to leave to Britain on medical leave in an internationally brokered deal in January last year.
The former president has repeatedly insisted that he would continue to serve the people from abroad.
Speaking after inaugurating the newly established clean water system in Meemu Atoll Dhiggaru island on Monday, president Yameen without directly naming Nasheed said a leader must first respect the laws and constitution of the country before he can truly serve the people.
"The law applies to everyone equally. One must accept that fact before he or she can claim to serve the people or the country," he added.
President Yameen also said his primary aim was to bring much needed development to the country insisting that he had never looked to directly challenge his political opponents.
