Ex-President Yameen's bribery and money laundering trial begins

Criminal Court begins the trial for former President Abdulla Yameen on Sunday over the lease of Aarah island of Vaavu atoll during his administration.

He is accused of accepting a bribe of USD 1 million, and later laundering the money while leasing Aarah to be developed into a resort via Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Authority (MMPRC). Therefore the state is pursuing money laundering charges and accepting bribes. The state is also accusing a close associate of Yameen, Yoosuf Naeem, for bribing Yameen.

When asked if the documents of the case had been received at a hearing held at the Criminal Court to start the trial, Yameen's lawyers said that they had received the documents. They asked for more time to study the documents.

Yoosuf Naeem, who is being charged, said that he requires three weeks to appoint a lawyer for himself.

Chief Judge Shakeel said Yoosuf would be given 10 days to appoint a lawyer. He also clarified what legal rights defendants have.

Shakeel said another hearing will be held on 27 of this month regarding this case. He said they will confirm if they had received all documents in the next hearing and the defendant will be asked to answer for the charges pressed against them on the hearing now scheduled for January 27.

If Yameen is found guilty of money laundering he faces five years in jail. This would mean he would be disqualified from running for the Presidential Election to be held in 2023.

Another case involving money laundering is also being pursued against Yameen at the moment. This case involves the leasing of Raa Fuggiri.

Previously he had received a five year jail sentence over the leasing of Gaafu Alifu Vodamulla. However the Supreme Court overturned the sentence and released him in November 2021.