All arrested in last night’s opposition protest released from custody

All arrested in Sunday night’s opposition protest calling to free the opposition leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom who was sentenced to 11 years in prison for money laundering and bribery, have been released from custody.

The protest calling to free Yameen commenced at the intersection of Majeedhee Magu and Chaandhanee Magu. Protestors carried posters and flags as they marched across different areas in Male’ City.

Sixteen people were arrested during the protest; 15 men and one woman.

A Police Spokesperson confirmed the release of all protestors to Sun on Monday morning.

Yameen was charged with money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development during his administration.

He was 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 said money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.

Criminal Court, on Sunday afternoon, found Yameen guilty on both charges.

He was sentenced to seven years in prison for the money laundering charge, alongside a fine of USD 5 million. As per the judgement, Yameen needs to settle the fine with Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within a period of six months.

Meanwhile, he was sentenced to four years in prison for taking a bribe.

Yameen’s legal team said that they would initiate the appeal process at the earliest, expressing hope to succeed in a Supreme Court appeal.

Yameen had been convicted of similar charges back in 2019. This prompted a series of protests by the opposition calling for his release. He was acquitted by the Supreme Court last November – just short of two years into his five-year prison term.