The High Court, on Tuesday, sought assistance from the police to expel top officials from the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) from the court.

Officials from the main opposition party went to the court on Tuesday morning, to express concern over the delay in the appeal of the 11-year prison sentence against the party’s leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The officials refused to leave even after the court’s official open hours ended, and exited long after the police arrived.

A police spokesperson said officers intervened in response to a request for assistance from the court.

Yameen 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 appeal of his conviction – which disqualifies him from contesting the upcoming presidential election – has remained stalled with two out of three judges on the bench overseeing the appeal on leave.