President Mohamed Muizzu has altered his narrative regarding the imprisonment conditions of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and other political detainees during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen.
At the time, Muizzu served as the Housing Minister and acted as Yameen’s special envoy, tasked with visiting the jail to check on the well-being of Maumoon and two Supreme Court justices.
Speaking at a recent gathering of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) senate, Muizzu recounted his experiences as Yameen’s representative during those prison visits.
Muizzu claimed that Maumoon and the justices were held in "small cells" and were in "very poor condition."
"Alongside [President Maumoon], there were the Chief Justice and another Supreme Court judge. These individuals were in small cells, or rather, in a state of great distress. I immediately reported what they told me upon leaving. These are things I personally witnessed and was tasked with overseeing," the President said on Friday.
Muizzu further stated that he felt a "deep sense of unease" while visiting the high-profile detainees.
"I felt very troubled. One of them was a man who had served this country for 30 years and contributed so much. He was the leader who saved the nation during the November 3rd incident. He was someone who had provided great service," he added.
However, Muizzu’s current account stands in contrast to the statements he made following his prison visit on February 14, 2018. At that time, he expressed no such "unease," nor did he suggest that Maumoon or any other detainees were in "poor condition."
During a press conference on February 15, 2018, Muizzu praised the prison arrangements. He spoke extensively about the high quality of medical care and facilities provided to Maumoon and the two justices.
"He [Maumoon] provided information while seated on a sofa. He said that the accommodations at Maafushi Prison were better in many ways than where he was kept at Dhoonidhoo. He also mentioned that all necessary facilities were being fully provided," Muizzu had said then.
"President Maumoon said that whenever he requested a doctor, it was arranged immediately. He repeatedly told me that the facilities at Maafushi were better than Dhoonidhoo and that the arrangements were very good."
Muizzu had also spoken about Justice Ali Hameed at the time, asserting that the judge was receiving comprehensive services in prison.
"Ali Hameed mentioned that because he has special dietary requirements, he made a request which was facilitated. Pointing to a bottle of mineral water in front of me, he said he was provided with the same to drink. He also noted that he receives nightly treatment for a respiratory issue that affects his sleep," Muizzu reported in 2018.
Back then, Muizzu also disclosed the firm manner in which he conducted himself as Yameen’s envoy. He claimed that he did not allow the political detainees any opportunity to discuss matters beyond their immediate welfare.
"My purpose in visiting those three individuals was to check on their well-being. They answered the questions I asked to clarify those matters. They attempted to discuss political topics of their own accord, but that was not why I was there. I completed the task assigned to me and returned. I reported back to the President only the comments they made regarding the task I was given," Muizzu had said.
