Private Conversations between Yameen and Lawyers being Published in Pro-Govt News Outlets: Legal Team

Conversations between the incarcerated former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom and his lawyers are being listened in on and are being published “with amendments” by pro-government news-outlets, the former President Yameen’s legal team have said.

In a statement released by the former President’s legal team, they said that details of what they had discussed with the former President and had not shared with any other party have been published, with amendments, by pro-government news-outlets. The legal team pointed out that the conversations between a lawyer and their client are protected by law.

In addition, they said that the Police had requested that the legal team travel to Maafushi to sign a statement given by the former President. The legal team requested that the trip be postponed as travelling was difficult given the ongoing public health emergency. They said that the Police denied their request.

The legal team said that there was no pressing reason to speed up the legal proceedings such that the former President’s life and safety are put in danger. The team objected to the Police’s demand that the former President come into physical contact with people such that he may be placed in the way of bodily harm.