President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has told President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu that he decided to transfer jailed opposition leader and former President Abdulla Yameen to house arrest in order to prioritize national interest.
Yameen, serving a sentence in jail for money laundering and bribery, was transferred to his home in Male' on Sunday evening.
The decision was made following the election win of the opposition candidate in Saturday's presidential runoff.
Solih met Muizzu at the President's Office on Sunday afternoon, but the government has not disclosed details of the meeting.
Speaking to reporters outside Yameen's residence, Muizzu said that Solih made the decision in order to prioritize national interest.
"I have met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih with the opportunity extended to me. I mentioned this and discussed it. [He said that] the decision was made in the interest of the country after the people made their choice," Muizzu said.
“I am very proud and grateful for the government's decision to transfer President Yameen to his home,” he added.
A large number of supporters from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) gathered near Yameen's home to celebrate.
Yameen has spent 1049 days in the Maafushi Prison. His 11-year sentence and conviction has been appealed at the High Court.
