Former President Mohamed Nasheed states that he has one hundred percent guarantee that he would contest the 2018 presidential election.
Nasheed, who was serving a thirteen year prison sentence before seeking asylum in United Kingdom made this statement, participating in a program aired by Raajje TV.
He said that although he is currently in the United Kingdom for medical reasons, he would return to Maldives and contest the 2018 election. He said that he would return to Maldives before the election. He added that it was not his intention to spend the rest of his life abroad.
When asked if he thought he might be imprisoned once he returns, Nasheed said that the prospect of being imprisoned on return would not stop him.
“I will go to Maldives. If that means going back to prison, I will go back to prison. I do not intend to live abroad for the rest of my life”, Nasheed said.
Nasheed also added that he was not trying to topple the Yameen administration. He said that if he had such an intention it would not be stealthy and that if he did intend to overthrow the government, he would be vocal about it.
He said that all he has been trying to achieve is a free and fair election, in accordance with set procedures and regulations. He said that he only intend to change the Yameen administration via an election. He said that the Yameen administration should not be overthrown.
Nasheed also said that the real intent behind granting him medical leave was to ‘cool down’ the Maldivian political environment. Nasheed described being able to travel abroad while serving time as a great victory and said that that has provided him opportunity to know the problems in Maldives. He said that while abroad, he would continue to try and find solutions to the problems the country face.
Nasheed was granted medical leave for a spinal surgery after which he sought asylum in the UK. The government has provided him several deadlines to return to Maldives, all of which have come to a close months ago. However, the government has since remained silent about the matter.