Hearings in Aarah money laundering case to begin in Jan

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom waves at supporters as he is escorted to the Supreme Court on November 30, 2021. (Sun Photo/Ahmed Aiman Ali)

Hearings in the case against former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development is scheduled to begin in January.

The Prosecutor General’s Office charged Yameen with money laundering and taking a bribe in connection to the case in November.

PGO’s spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun on Thursday evening that the Criminal Court was scheduled to begin hearings in the case on January 2.

Yameen is accused of using the influence of his position to take a USD 1 million bribe and laundering the money in connection to the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem (Handhuvareege, N. Velidhoo) for resort development.

Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency, has been charged with giving a bribe.

The Aarah case is linked with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal.

Yameen had been convicted of similar charges back in 2019. However, he was issued an acquittal by the Supreme Court last November – just short of two years into his five-year prison term.