Fisheries Minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee has hinted granting the possibility of former president Mohamed Nasheed to run at the presidential election of 2018, during Party Talks.
During a press conference held on Tuesday at President's Office, the Fisheries Minister said that the state cannot expunge criminal records or pardon those serving time for grave offenses. He also noted that the government cannot efface any financial arrangements such incarcerated individuals must settle with the government.
However Dr. Shainee affirmed the incumbent president Abdullah Yameen has no contradiction with former president Nasheed running for presidency in 2018, should the decision become mutually accepted through the opposing coalition.
Speaking about the conditions put forth by the opposition on previous deliberations, Dr. Shainee said that the opposition had requested to arrange for the possibility of ex-president Nasheed to run for the 2018 presidential election, however the countering conditions set by the government were not met by the opposition.
Dr. Shainee recalled the 2015 party discussions falling flat due to opposition facing displeasing response from courts as well as Chief Justice through a meeting between him and UN's representative overseeing the issue.Opposition had also filed several formal documents and letters requesting for leniency towards the convicted former president who serves a 13 year jail term of being found guilty of terrorism.
The government threw an olive branch extending invitation to participate in peace talks to broker a truce or an arrangement on any level. However the opposition turn the invitation down conditioning the release of imprisoned leaders of the allied parties.
However government had once again reiterated their open invitation for peaceful deliberation.
