MP of Fonadhoo constituency and interim leader of People’s National Congress (PNC) Abdul Raheem Abdulla has said that the investigation of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom should be made live. MP Abdul Raheem said that the media showing the investigation on charges of money laundering live is a hope of President Yameen.

MP Abdul Raheem said this while speaking at a press conference held by the “Progressive National Coalition”. He added that the destruction of evidence is not a reason for the detention of President Yameen. MP Abdul Raheem also said that the detention of the former President is a politically motivated move.

He said that President Yameen is an immensely accountable person and that this characteristic has been shown even in the past.

The interim leader of PNC said that President Yameen wishes any investigation on money laundering to take place as publicly as possible.

He noted that President Yameen was free to go into hiding from 23 September 2018 onwards and said that President Yameen’s passport had not been withheld. MP Abdul Raheem said that President Yameen had access to withdrawing cash from bank accounts if he wished to do so during this period. He said that President Yameen had been very clear that the funds in his bank account had been acquired  through legal means. MP Abdul Raheem said that President Yameen had carried out several campaigns since the year 2013 and added that the former President himself had reiterated that the funds came from the Presidential campaign efforts.

The interim leader of PNC said that there is no one that can delve into details regarding this matter more than President Yameen. He said that President Yameen will not hide any detail and reiterated that President Yameen would answer all questions openly.

MP Abdul Raheem has said that should the investigation on charges of money laundering against President Yameen go along with justice, he will not face any danger. '

The former President is currently in detention under a Criminal Court order that he remain so for the remainder of the trial on charges of money laundering. The appeal for his detention was made by the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has said that there is cause to remain in detention as President Yameen has attempted to alter witness testimony through bribes.