Former Pres. Yameen cancels appeal hearing

An appeal hearing scheduled in the money laundering case of former President Abdulla Yameen has been canceled upon the request of the appellant. 

The former President is undergoing a five-year sentence for money laundering in the case of the acquisition costs of G. A. Vodamullah, which is connected with the massive MMPRC scandal. He was found guilty of laundering USD 1 million from the acquisition costs received for the island and was sentenced in December of last year by the Criminal Court.

Former President Yameen’s lawyers had appealed the case to the High Court, while his supporters and political allies maintain that the sentence was a politically motivated sham. 

The last hearing in the appeal case was held on July 1 after a prolonged period of time due to the closure of government offices in light of COVID-19.

Attorney General’s Office has also decided to claim against Yameen for having failed to pay the fine set by the Criminal Court in last year’s sentence. Yameen was ordered to pay USD 5 million in addition to the five-year sentence. 

Two more charges of money laundering have since been brought against Yameen by state prosecutors.