Embattled opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim on Wednesday hit-back at the government insisting that he would not back down to intimidation.
The business magnate could face charges over bribery allegations while his empire remains under threat over unpaid rent on an island leased for resort development.
High Court late last month had ruled against Villa Shipping and Trading Company over the government seizure of Thaa Atoll Elaa island.
The agreement signed between the Tourism Ministry and Villa Shipping and Trading Company owned by Gasim was terminated in February of 2016.
Villa had been asked to pay nearly USD100 million in 30 days after the agreement was annulled which required the company to develop Elaa along with four other islands.
Villa Group's accounts had been frozen after the company failed to pay the government after the designated period while the court had imposed a travel ban on Gasim to prevent him from leaving the country.
Police meanwhile have also sought charges against the Maamigili lawmaker over a recent speech he had given during a JP rally where he was alleged to have hinted at possible bribing of fellow lawmakers.
Gasim however, during an opposition rally on Wednesday evening insisted that the threat of imprisonment would not force him to back-down.
Noting the fast-tracked nature of the bribery case, Gasim alleged that the government was trying to imprison him before the censure vote against the deputy parliament speaker on April 11.
"No one can kill this spirit. I urge you [president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom] to leave this country and go. There's no other option left," Gasim stressed.
Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday denied any role in pushing the country's inland revenue to impose sanctions on Villa Group over unpaid rent on an island leased for resort development, but insisted that it would not allow anyone to use debt owed to state as 'political leverage'.
