Verdict in Yameen’s Aarah trial scheduled for Sunday

Criminal Court has scheduled the hearing to deliver the verdict in the case against former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom over the sale of V. Aarah for resort development for this Sunday.

Yameen is on trial for money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of Aarah – which took place during his administration.

He is accused of abusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency, and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.

Both pled ‘not guilty’ to charges.

While the closing hearings in the case have been held – the hearing to deliver the verdict in the case has been scheduled for this Sunday morning.

If found guilty, Yameen is likely to be disqualified from running in the presidential elections next year despite having announced his candidacy.

Yameen faces a prison sentence of three years if found guilty of taking a bribe, and a prison sentence of five years if found guilty of money laundering.

Apart from this case, Yameen has also been charged with money laundering in bribery in connection to the sale of R. Fuggiri for resort development. The trial is still in the early stages.