MALE, 30 November 2021, TON: The Supreme Court freed former president Abdulla Yameen from house arrest today after the court overturned a money-laundering and embezzlement conviction pronouncing that there was insufficient evidence in the original case and allowed him to potentially make a return to politics.
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. An appeal was made before High Court which announced that they will be upholding the verdict of the Criminal Court.
Former President Yameen made an appeal before Supreme Court and the case was being heard by a three-member bench, composed of Presiding Justice Mahaz, Justice Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Mohamed Ibrahim.
On 25 November 2021, the Supreme Court (SC) of Maldives scheduled the judgement hearing for the appeal trial of former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom for 30 November 2021.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has filed money laundering charges against the former President on 24 November at the Criminal Court regarding the lease of V. Aarah. The PGO also has another ongoing case against the Former President of accepting bribes worth MVR 117,000 during the lease of R. Fuggiri for the development of a tourist resort.
Hundreds of supporters of Yameen’s Progressive Party of Maldives gathered outside his residence in the capital Male after the verdict which allow him contest the next presidential election.