Malé, Maldives – The Supreme Court of Maldives, today, scheduled to make a decision on bail request by ex-President Yameen’s defense team next Monday.
Yameen’s lawyers filed two motions at the Supreme Court on September 12, one to release Yameen on bail and another for a stay of execution pending appeal for his Criminal Court sentence.
Presiding Supreme Court Judge Mahaz Ali Zahir said that the court will address the appeals on 4 October 2021.
Supreme Court Judge Mahaz stated at today’s hearing that the defense will be given the chance to state appeals and review new evidence that are requested to be admitted.
Further, both the prosecution and appeal will be given a chance to state their cases at the end of Monday’s hearing.
The Supreme Court case is being heard by a three-member bench, composed of presiding Justice Mahaz, Justice Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.
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. The case was later appealed to the Supreme Court by Yameen’s Defense team.
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.
