Malé, Maldives – Maldives Police Service has send an additional civil case to Prosecutor General to be tried against Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, who was sentenced to five years in jail after proven guilty of money laundering who has been changed to house arrest yesterday is being accused of another money laundering case and accepting bribery.
According to local online media “Adhadhu” the Former President is accused of laundering MVR 15.3 million (USD 1 million) involving the sale of V. Aarah to a foreign party.
Media reports state that V. Aarah which used to be under former leader of Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP), Thasmeen Ali, was taken from his company in August 2015 and given to the former parliamentarian of Vaavu atoll and close friend of Former President Yameen, Yoosuf Naseem’s company.
After Yoosuf Naseem’s company had received the island from the government in September 2015, they had sold the island to a foreign party for USD 1 million. According to “Adhadhu” the same amount was deposited to an account operated by Former President Yameen in HSBC in the same month.
While the former President was sentenced to 5 years in prison and fined USD 5 million in November 8, 2019, President Yameen has currently served more than 400 days of his 5 year money laundering sentence after USD 1 million was found to have been transferred to his account under suspicions circumstances.
After he appealed this sentence at the High Court, highlighting a total of 75 points at the sentencing today, 2 of the 3 judges delivering the verdict supported Criminal Court’s decision.
President Yameen also has other ongoing cases against him. The Prosecutor General is currently charging the Former President of accepting bribes worth MVR 117,000 during the lease of R. Fuggiri for the development of a tourist resort. Along with the Former President, Ahmed Krik Rilhaa of MA.Kurikeelahiya, Male’, is also accused of being involved in the embezzlement of money in the case.
In addition to this, Sun Constructions and Engineering Private Limited and Sun Investment Private Limited are also accused of money laundering in the case. While President Yameen is accused of accepting bribery and money laundering, Ahmed Krik Rilhaa is being accused of being a medium during the transfer of bribery and of money laundering.
The Opposition coalition has been holding prostests in the capital Malé since earlier this year, asking for former President Yameen to be freed immediately.
