President: I welcome opposition to return back

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has declared that he welcomed self-exiled members of the opposition to return back to the country, but that for those who had prison sentences hanging over their heads, it was up to them to decide if they were to return home, or somewhere else.

President Yameen made the comment during his speech at the function held in K. Hinmafushi on Monday to celebrate end of the island’s land reclamation project.

“Those abroad, they can return to Maldives. But they need to choose, if they have sentences pending, if they will be going home or somewhere else,” said President Yameen.

President Yameen said that there would be no arbitrary imprisonment during his administration even if it’s a member of the opposition.

He said that Maldivians were awarded all democratic rights, and asked that no one give any room for manipulation of the fact.

He criticized former President Mohamed Nasheed, and said that his term in office was cut short by his own doing, and that no one else but he, himself was to blame.

He said that prior to Anti-Defamation and Freedom of Speech Act, the Maldivian President had been the biggest target for defamatory comments, world-wide.