The European Union (EU) delegation has said that they will not do any work related to transferring jailed former President Abdulla Yameen to house arrest despite an appeal from Parliament Speaker Mohamed Nasheed.
Former President Nasheed made the request during a courtesy call this week by Nacho Sanchez Amor, Member of the European Parliament and Chief Observer of the European Union’s Co-Team for the Presidential Election.
Briefing reporters on Thursday, Nacho said that Yameen's case is now in the courts and the delegation will not interfere in the judiciary under any circumstances.
"We came here to observe. We will not comment on the internal affairs of Maldives. President Yameen's case is in court. We will not comment on the affairs of the judiciary," Nacho said.
On August 9, Nasheed told the head of the EU delegation that the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition's leader should be transferred home in order to ensure that the September 9 presidential election is free and fair. He asked for the EU's help with the task.
Former President Nasheed has been calling for Yameen's release at campaign rallies of his Democrats party. Yameen will be freed in the first week of a Democrats administration, Nasheed pledged.
“We assure the PPM members that within a week of you agreeing to work with us, hopefully within a week, I will bring President Yameen home, even if I have to stay on the streets of Male' all day long. Yameen will be freed," Nasheed said at a campaign rally in Gaaf Dhaal Gadhdhoo.
Nasheed accused the PPM leadership of failing to do the work necessary to free Yameen.
Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of bribery in the leasing of Vaavu Aarah in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal during his government.
