Former Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, on Wednesday, plead guilty to all seven charges pressed against him in connection to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzlement and money laundering scandal.
The case against Adeeb was previously been dismissed by the Criminal Court in July, citing questions over the legitimacy of the plea deal struck between Adeeb and the Prosecutor General’s Office. The decision was appealed by the Prosecutor General’s Office at the High Court, which ordered the Criminal Court to reopen the case last week.
The new arraignment hearing was held at the Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon.
The state prosecution read the charges, and Adeeb, when asked to respond to the charges, said that he was proving his full cooperation in the recovery of funds embezzled from MMPRC.
Adeeb said that he had already spent four to five years in prison on various convictions in connections to the case, during which time he has developed major health complications.
He said that he pleads guilty to all charges. He said he has repented to God, and wishes to apologize to the Maldivian people for his part in the crime.
He also asked for leniency in his sentencing.
Following his statement, the judge asked Adeeb whether he signed the plea deal under any form of duress.
Adeeb responded that he had not been under any duress when he made the plea deal.
The judge next asked Adeeb whether he had been of sound mind when he made the plea deal.
Adeeb responded that he had been of sound mind, and made the plea deal out of good faith.
To be updated….