The Criminal Court of the Maldives has decided to proceed with the money laundering and bribery case against Former President Abdulla Yameen in relation to the lease of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll for tourism development.
At the last hearing held by the Criminal Court, former President Yameen’s attorney claimed the evidence presented against him is not strong enough to proceed with the charges, adding that he has never engaged in bribery. Afterward, the state attorney responded to the statements made by the defense and said former President Yameen was legally not allowed to engage in any business dealings at the time he had allegedly accepted the bribe.
After hearing both sides, presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel concluded that the court will proceed with the case, as it fits within the relevant rules and regulations. The next hearing has been scheduled for May 25.
Former President Yameen is accused of accepting USD1 million as a bribe during the lease of Aarah through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and laundering the money. Former Parliamentarian Yoosuf Naeem has also been charged with bribery in the lease of Aarah.
Aarah, which is located near Thinadhoo in Vaavu Atoll, had been leased to a private company when it was taken back and handed over to Felidhoo Island Council in 2015. The island was later handed over to a company called 2G Maldives, before leasing the island again to a foreign company. The embezzlement of funds acquired from the lease of Aarah was uncovered during the investigation of the corruption scandal of MMPRC.
Former President Yameen was freed late last year from a five-year prison sentence after the Supreme Court of the Maldives overturned the decision by the Criminal Court to convict Yameen of laundering USD1 million received as the acquisition cost for the lease of Vodamula, Gaafu Alifu Atoll for resort development through MMPRC. However, he is also currently under trial for another case of money laundering and accepting USD1.1 million in bribes for the lease of Fuhgiri, Raa Atoll, for resort development through MMPRC.