Police summons Former President Yameen

Former President and leader of the opposition Yameen Abdul Gayyoom | Photo: Nishan Ali

Malé, Maldives – Maldives Police Service on Saturday, has summoned Former President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayyoom to the authority.

Speaking at ongoing PPM press conference, Spokesperson Heena Waleed said that Maldives Police Service has ordered for Former President Yameen to be present at the authority at 14:00.

Former President Yameen was changed to home on 29 April 2021 amid increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the island of Maafushi where he was imprisoned and officers at Maafushi jail also testing positive for the virus.

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.

Most recently, the Former President is accused of laundering MVR 15.3 million (USD 1 million) involving the sale of V. Aarah to a foreign party.