Controversial former Maldives president returns

Former Maldives President Mohamed Waheed Hassan who came into power under controversial circumstances has returned to the Maldives, local media reported here on Monday. Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed greeted Waheed, who left the country last month, on his arrival, local media outlet Haveeru reported. President Abdulla Yameen, cabinet ministers and government- aligned Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim greeted the former president as he arrived in capital Male. Accompanied by vice President Jameel, Waheed arrived in Male in the presidential speedboat and traveled to his home in a motorcade along with the presidential security detail. Asked by Haveeru reporters at the scene, President Yameen said his predecessor would be given "the highest honor and respect." But he declined to comment on whether Waheed would be given a government post. In a highly unusual move on the eve of the November 16 presidential runoff, then President Waheed left the country to Hong Kong on what was officially described as a medical appointment for his wife. Waheed's short term in power was marred by several corruption scandals and allegations of misappropriation of State funds. Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has strongly criticized the return. Waheed, who had been vice president, came to power in February 2012 when MDP leader and former President Mohammad Nasheed was ousted in the aftermath of a police mutiny. Nasheed has consistently alleged he was the victim of a coup in which Waheed was complicit from the start.