Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has urged the people not to believe in rumours and do their best to ensure the victory of PNC presidential candidate Dr Mohamed Muiz in the upcoming presidential elections.

Yameen made the request through his lawyers after a newspaper reported that Yameen had targeted Muiz in the court room on Wednesday after concluding the appeal hearing in the bribery case.

Yameen's lawyers issued a press statement denying the news, saying that Yameen had not said anything similar to what was written in the newspaper or anything similar to what was mentioned in the note circulated on social media stating that it was from Yameen.

PNC candidate Dr Muiz and running mate Hussain Mohamed Latheef will be the candidates supporting Yameen in the upcoming presidential elections, the statement said, adding that he would request all members of the opposition coalition and all supporters supporting Yameen to vote for Muiz and Hussain Mohamed Latheef.

The statement added that Yameen had stated that he was keen to elect Muiz as president in the upcoming presidential elections. Yameen has stated that such malicious rumours being spread by those who hate Yameen are an attempt to create disharmony among the members and supporters of the opposition coalition and prevent the coalition from winning the presidential elections.

"Do not believe such rumours and encourage everyone to do so, this presidential election will be won by PPM/PNC candidate Dr. Muiz," the lawyers' statement said.

While Yameen's lawyers denied reports in a newspaper that Yameen had targeted Muiz, there has been disagreement among ppm/PNC members even after the Supreme Court ruled that President Yameen could not contest the election.