Constitutional case was filed at the Supreme Court on Saturday, on behalf of former President Yameen Abdul Gayoom in order to ensure his constitutional rights are met. 

Via Twitter, Adam Shameem who is on Yameen’s legal team said that with the appeal hearings for the HIgh Court verdict dragging on, it obstructs many of his fundamental rights. 

“In order to ensure those rights are met, a constitutional case has been submitted to the Supreme Court just now, on behalf of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom,” read his Tweet. 

Meanwhile, following the Election Commission officially opening for candidacy of the Presidential Election, the opposition coalition has stated that they were preparing to file the forms on behalf of their candidate - President Yameen. 

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and Peoples National Congress (PNC) had named Yameen as their candidate months before. 

He was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2022, after he was found guilty of bribery and money laundering charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development.

The last High Court hearing, held in June, saw his attorneys finish presenting their points of appeal.

The opposition leader’s political allies and supporters have expressed concern over the delay in conclusion of the appeal, which they see as a deliberate move by the government to prevent him from contesting the upcoming presidential election.

As the September election draws close, Yameen’s candidacy hangs in the balance. Despite all of this, the coalition has maintained that Yameen will be their candidate, and have commenced campaigning for him as well.