Court releases case report to ex-President Yameen’s lawyers

Criminal Court has released the case report in the Aarah case of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to his legal team, hours after the verdict was delivered in the case.

The case report was released to Yameen’s legal team 20 hours after the verdict was delivered.

A practice director issued by the Supreme Court of the Maldives states that the case report of a case must be handed over to all parties involved on the same day the verdict is delivered.

Nevertheless, noting the failure to hand over the case report in Yameen’s case which concluded yesterday, his lawyer, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed expressed concern over the delays on Monday morning.

Dr. Jameel told Sun that the appeal process can only be initiated upon receiving the report. He added the need to appeal early in the case as Yameen is a prospective candidate working towards competing in next year’s presidential elections.

Leadership members of the opposition coalition also gathered near Criminal Court area on Monday morning to protest the delays.

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 judgment, 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.