Opposition plan demonstration over ex-pres' arrest

The Progressive Coalition is organizing a protest over the arrest of former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom.

The alliance between Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Peoples' National Congress (PNC), both being parties backed by President Yameen on Tuesday stated that a peaceful demonstration is being organized for Wednesday night. Supporters will be gathering at the Carnival Area from 8.30pm, revealed Abdul Raheem Abdulla, founder of PNC and Yameen loyalist.

Supporters of President Yameen will not rest until he is released, added Abdul Raheem.

Criminal Court on Monday ordered authorities to keep former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in custody until the end of his money laundering trial.

Yameen appeared in criminal court in the capital Male, on Monday afternoon after the country’s top prosecutor charged him last week with money laundering.

The prosecution asked the court to take Yameen into custody to deny him the chance to influence the evidence against him. The criminal court ordered to keep him detained, after which he was taken to Maafushi remand jail. The arrest has since been appealed at the High Court by President Yameen.

The much awaited report into the Maldives Media and PR Corporation (MMPRC) scandal, had revealed that over USD79 million had been embezzled through the state tourism promotion company.

The funds received by MMPRC was distributed through a private company called SOF Private Limited with strong links to the now jailed former vice president Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor.

Shortly after the scandal was uncovered, USD1 million was deposited by SOF to Yameen's personal account at the Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB).

Yameen has continued to insist that the funds in his account was for his failed presidential campaign last year.