Maldives opposition leader returns home to warm welcome after exile in Germany
Qasim Ibrahim welcomed at airport by president-elect after strongman Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s surprise defeat in last month’s election
A Maldives opposition leader returned home on Thursday after being exiled in Germany for months to escape a prison sentence on charges of plotting to overthrow the government.
Qasim Ibrahim was welcomed at the airport in Male by President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Ibrahim, a businessman who owns a chain of tourist resorts, was among dozens of political opponents who were jailed by outgoing strongman Yameen Abdul Gayoom after trials criticised for lack of due process. He went into exile in Germany after undergoing heart surgery in Singapore.
“People have spoken. There is no use of acting up now,” Ibrahim said in a brief speech to the gathering that came to greet him, referring to claims by Yameen that there were irregularities in the election process.
“Nothing President Yameen does now will change the people’s decision,” he said.
Yameen has not challenged the election results despite claiming irregularities.
