The Jumhooree Party (JP) has announced that it is considering legal action against Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom after he made allegations against Qasim Ibrahim, the party’s leader, and his son Ibrahim Siyad Qasim.

The party’s statement came in response to remarks made by former president Yameen during a programme aired by an online newspaper. The former president, who defended the arrests of Qasim Ibrahim and his son during his administration, alleged that they were involved in a scandal. JP rejected these allegations, describing them as fabricated, and said it strongly condemned the comments. The party added that its legal team was examining possible action to be taken in response.

Former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has also dismissed allegations made by former president Yameen. A statement issued on his behalf said that Yameen’s claim that bribery of judges was the reason behind his arrest in February 2018 was baseless and intended to tarnish his reputation.

The statement clarified that the Supreme Court order of 1 February 2018 had no connection with former president Maumoon. It stressed that he had never attempted to bribe judges to obtain a court order or influence any judicial decision.

It further stated that no money or favours had ever been provided on behalf of former president Maumoon to any judge or state official, either during former president Yameen’s administration or at any other time. The statement added that spreading such misinformation was a low practice, especially from someone who had held the presidency.

The statement concluded by noting that former president Maumoon was considering legal action over former president Yameen’s allegations and assured Maldivians that he would never commit any act that violated the Constitution or the laws of the Republic of Maldives.