Hearing on ex-President Yameen’s Aarah money laundering case scheduled for tomorrow

A hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow in the money laundering case against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development. 

Criminal Court has scheduled the hearing for 9:30am, tomorrow morning.

The Prosecutor General’s Office charged the former president with money laundering and taking a bribe in connection to the case in November 2021. 

Yameen is accused of misusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe as well as laundering the money in the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency. 

Meanwhile, Naeem is charged with giving a bribe in the same case. 

On agenda at tomorrow’s hearing will be the defense responding to the charges raised.

At the last hearing of the case held, Yameen’s lawyers had requested that his trial be livestreamed. Presiding judge said that a decision would be made regarding the request prior to January 20.

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.