Former President Abdulla Yameen, leader of the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC), has decided not to attend the swearing-in ceremony of his coalition's President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.
Parliament invited Yameen to attend the ceremony, Adhadhu has learned.
According to a message from his legal team to Adhadhu, Yameen does not want to participate in the President-Elect's swearing-in ceremony tomorrow because he is serving a criminal sentence.
"As he believes that a convict participating in such a dignified function of high stature would diminish its dignity and stature, and because he believes it is contrary to practices in civilized societies, President Yameen decided not to attend the ceremony and informed parliament of it today," the message read.
Parliament has not confirmed yet whether it has received Yameen's reply.
Yameen, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence, is currently at home and confined to Male'.
He was transferred to house arrest on October 1. He was granted privileges on October 28 to be able to move freely in the Male' region.
After Yameen participated in a PPM activity, Corrections warned that the privileges would be revoked and Yameen has not taken part in a political activity since then.
The President-Elect's oath-taking ceremony is due to take place at the Republic Square in Male' on Friday evening.
Official invitations have been sent to 3,500 people, according to the Parliament Secretariat.
The President-Elect's Office said it has been trying to make arrangements for 1,000 members of the public to be able to attend the ceremony.
The Parliament Secretariat enlisted the military's welfare company (SIWEK) to organize the ceremony for a total cost of MVR 22.9 million.
SIWEK was tasked with decorating the area, catering and organizing the event.
