President Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed have become locked in a fierce public confrontation over corruption, credibility and the use of public office, with Mohamed challenging the President to produce evidence against him rather than attack his credibility.

The exchange began at Ali’s press conference on Tuesday, where the President responded to corruption allegations levelled against his administration by questioning the standing of the person making them.

“When you speak about corruption, you’re talking about someone with allegations, who are making these allegations, the person who is making the allegation has himself indictment by the U.S. I don’t see this being highlighted. He himself having allegations of murder. He himself having allegations of robbing the country and its taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. So, in any fair system, credibility is important. How credible is the person that is making the allegation? How credible are the allegations when you speak about corruption?”