Former President Abdulla Yameen, who has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for corruption, met with his supporters for the first time in ten months.
The meeting took place at the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) office Sunday night after the government granted some relief to his house arrest.
At the meeting, Yameen addressed the supporters and spoke at length. He urged supporters to strengthen the party.
He requested supporters to change the campaign strategy and give priority to the youth by identifying their concerns and seeking their support.
“Everyone please give me the assurance that each of you will meet 50 or 40 youths and talk to them over coffee,” he said.
Yameen said he was happy with the election result, but noted that the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) would have won if the Democrats had backed them.
“It is not only when an election comes that we have to work. We have to work always. If the government changes every five years, where is the stability?” he said.
Referring to the new government to be formed by President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, he said ministers must have the courage to face challenges.
Yameen was transferred from Maafushi Prison to his home in Male' on October 1 after the presidential election victory of Muizzu.
The government on Saturday granted him permission to go out of his home without supervision for medical reasons.
Yameen last met with his supporters at a rally on December 23 last year.
