Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has been transferred to home arrest.
The former president was serving a five year sentence at Maafushi Prison on a money-laundering conviction. Maldives Corrections Service said President Yameen was transferred to home arrest on Thursday as the COVID-19 situation at Maafushi Prison continues to worsen. Several prison officers at the jail have tested positive for the virus. Corrections did not specify the duration for which the former president will remain under house arrest.
President Yameen's spouse and former First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim requested President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to transfer Yameen to home arrest before Ramadan. Yameen's party, Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) also made a similar request to the president and the relevant authorities. Recently speaking to the press, President Solih had confirmed that he received the requests and that the authorities were discussing the possibilities of a a home transfer.
