Yameen begins receiving security, but has yet to receive allowances

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has resumed providing security to former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, following his release on Tuesday after the Supreme Court overturned a five-year prison sentence against him for money laundering. 

According to the law, the benefits former presidents are entitled by the state includes security, a monthly allowance, and office administrative costs. 

The benefits and allowances were halted when Yameen was imprisoned in 2019 after he was found guilty of laundering USD 1 million from the sale of GA. Vodamula. 

Yameen did not have security when he returned home after his court hearing on Tuesday afternoon, and met with the throng of supporters gathered outside his home to celebrate his release. 

The delay is restoration of security was raised by Yameen’s lawyers during a press conference later that afternoon. 

PPM-PNC coalition’s spokesperson Heena Waleed told Sun that security was reported to Yameen on Tuesday evening. 

Heena said that Yameen has yet to receive the allowances former presidents are entitled to, but hopes the allowances will be restored soon. 

Yameen was found guilty of money laundering by the Criminal Court on November 28, 2019.  He was sentenced to five years in prison and fined USD 5 million. Yameen promptly appealed the conviction with the High Court, which sided against him and ruled to uphold the original sentence back in January.

He subsequently appealed the conviction with the Supreme Court, which began appeal proceedings in September.

The case was heard at the Supreme Court by a three-member bench, composed of Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir – who headed the bench, and Justice Dr. Azmiralda Zahir and Justice Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim. 

The bench reached its verdict with the unanimous consensus of all three justices.