Male’, Maldives – The hearing of former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Qayyoom, initially scheduled for today, regarding the additional two charges against him, has been cancelled.
The Criminal Court of Maldives revealed that the cancellation was due to bad weather and the health condition of Yameen, due to which he requested the hearing to be cancelled citing difficulties in traveling.
According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the additional charges against the former President are regarding a coverup for a USD 1,117,000 bribe taken via a mediator named Krik Riza in leasing of R. Fuhgiri to be developed as a tourist resort.
In this case, the charges raised against Yameen are that of accepting bribery, money laundering, under section 510, part (a) and (d) of the penal code, as well as section 53, part (a), section 5, part (a) (3) and section 53, part (b) of the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing Terrorism Act of the country.
Yameen is currently incarcerated at the Maafushi Prison, serving a five-year sentence on money laundering charges regarding public funds for the lease of Ga. Vodamulla. The conviction has been appealed by Yameen at the High Court, of which the hearings have concluded, pending a verdict.
