PPM: Yameen will be forced to appear in court every other day for next three months

Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) said on Monday that the opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom will be forced to appear in Criminal Court every other day over the next three months. 

The party made the remark in a statement in response to the decision to push up the verdict in two money laundering cases against Yameen. 

PPM said that the decision to change court dates without discussion with relevant parties was in blatant violation of the Criminal Procedure Code. 

PPM alleged that the decision to push up the court dates was evidence of the government’s and ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s influence over the Maldivian judiciary. An allegation, which the party said was backed by recent warnings by MDP activists during various events and on social media that Yameen would be imprisoned soon. 

“...We therefore condemn in the harshest terms the attempt by top government officials and MDP to influence proceedings at lower courts and the High Court to produce the outcomes they want,” said PPM in its statement. 

The verdict in the money laundering and bribery case against Yameen in connection to V. Aarah has been moved up from November 25 to June 30.

Meanwhile, the verdict in the case against Yameen in connection to R. Fuggiri has also been scheduled for the same date.

Yameen had previously been sentenced to prison for laundering USD 1 million from the sale of GA. Vodamula. However, the conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in November last year.