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Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has criticized the government over potential charges against Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali, arguing that any prosecution regarding the island's city status should target former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih instead.
News Desk
(Left to Right) : Former Presidents Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, and Mohamed Nasheed pictured together. Photo: Atoll Times
MALÉ: Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has stated that if there are legal issues surrounding GDh. Thinadhoo receiving city status, any prosecution should target former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih rather than Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali.
Speaking at a gathering hosted by the People’s National Front (PNF), Yameen criticized the administration following confirmation that the Prosecutor General’s Office received a case requesting criminal charges against Mayor Saud Ali. The charges allege that Mayor Saud submitted false population figures to secure city status for the island.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih officially declared Thinadhoo a city on August 31, 2023, during a presidential campaign rally on the island. Yameen argued that while local residents and the mayor naturally desired city status, the ultimate executive authority to grant it rested entirely with the sitting president, who was responsible for verifying all facts beforehand.
“The President is the one who made this place a city. So in reality, shouldn’t the charges be brought against the President for doing so without proper verification?” Yameen said during the meeting.
Yameen characterized the legal proceedings against Mayor Saud as politically motivated and described the administration’s actions as a sign of political weakness.
