There is no freedom of expression now: ex President Yameen

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom | Photo: Twitter

Malé, Maldives – Newly acquitted former President of the Maldives Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has said that all media other than online news outlets are under the control of the government.

Addressing the attendees of the event “Welcome President Yameen” held to celebrate his release, the former President and opposition leader stated that during his term, he provided complete press freedom allowing media to publish all news.

Now that the Supreme Court has freed me, the media is passing verdicts.

Former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom

Former President Yameen also accused majority of the media of being in the pockets of the Indian Embassy. He reiterated the opposition campaign “India Out” stating that he will not tolerate Indian soldiers on the Maldives.

Meanwhile, the the Parliament Committee on National Security Services (241 Committee) has said that there is no clause that impacts the sovereignty of the Maldives in the controversial Uthuru Thilafalhu (UTF) agreement.