Former President Abdulla Yameen has stated that the decision to summon Supreme Court judges to the police station during his administration was not linked to a court ruling, but rather due to corruption and bribery allegations.

During Yameen’s presidency, numerous political figures were arrested and sentenced, including former President Mohamed Nasheed, former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, former Deputy Speaker of the People's Majlis Ahmed Nazim, Jumhooree Party Leader Qasim Ibrahim, former Adhaalath Party President Imran Abdulla, and Yameen’s first Defense Minister, Mohamed Nazim. Additionally, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Yameen’s first Vice President who now works alongside him, was sentenced while seeking political asylum in the United Kingdom.

Others arrested at the time included then-Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed, Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed, Prosecutor General Muhuthaz Muhusin, and Judge Ahmed Nihan.

Speaking at a People's National Front (PNF) meeting last night, Yameen stated that the opposition at the time attempted to overthrow the government by expecting him to resign, similar to how former President Mohamed Nasheed had stepped down. However, Yameen noted that because he was a democratically elected leader chosen by the people, he refused to accept such an outcome.

Referring to the Supreme Court's order to release several political figures, Yameen pointed out that those individuals had already completed all three tiers of the judicial process and were convicted by final Supreme Court rulings. He noted that the subsequent order for their release claimed previous cases had been rushed, arguing that the Supreme Court's decisions lacked fairness.

Addressing the reasons behind the arrest of the judges, Yameen asserted, "The reason they had to be summoned to the police was not because of any ruling they issued." He claimed that while the Maldives National Defence Service (MNDF) was active, he received detailed messages on his phone stating, "Abdulla Saeed has been bought two flats in Malaysia, Ali Hameed has been bought this many flats in Malaysia, purchased by this company and this individual's son." Therefore, Yameen explained, authorities sought to question the judges regarding disproportionate wealth and expenditures inconsistent with their lawful incomes.

Yameen highlighted that the judges refused to comply when ordered to appear before the police. Although the judges' order stated they could not be summoned to any investigative body in connection with that decree, Yameen maintained that the Constitution explicitly empowers the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to investigate judicial disciplinary matters. He accused the judges of effectively overriding and setting aside that constitutional provision for their own convenience.