Malé, Maldives – The Supreme Court of Maldives, today, decided to reduce the number of sessions per day to one due to former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom’s deteriorated health condition.
The former President at Thursday’s hearing submitted medical documents indicating lumbar issues that the Supreme Court took into account, in deciding to hold the morning sessions only, as opposed to two 3hr sessions daily for both morning and afternoon.
The Court however put forth the condition that, at which time, the schedule is prolonged unduly, the court will revise the schedule to include afternoon sessions.
Today was the fourth hearing for former President Yameen’s appeal and the session continued with the defence submitting their 22 appeal clauses to the court.
In November 2019, the Criminal Court sentenced that Yameen was guilty of laundering USD 1 million of the government through MMPRC by leasing GA. Vodamula. While a verdict on that case was appealed at the High Court, on January 21, High Court announced that they will be upholding the verdict of the Criminal Court.
Former President Yameen’s defence is now appealing this case at the Supreme Court.
The case is being heard by a three-member bench, composed of presiding Justice Mahaz, Justice Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.
The Prosecutor General is also currently charging Former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom with accepting bribes worth MVR 117,000 during the lease of R. Fuggiri for the development of a tourist resort at the Criminal Court of Maldives. 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 through Sun Construction & Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and Sun Investments Pvt. Ltd.
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.
Former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom is currently under house arrest at his official residence in the capital city Malé after being transferred out of Maafushi Jail due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
