Ex-President Yameen ordered to pay state USD 3.4M in six months

Criminal Court, on Sunday, ordered opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom to pay the state USD 3.4 million from the USD 5 million fine imposed on him in connection to his money laundering and bribery conviction in Aarah case within six months.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined USD 5 million on December 25, 2022, after he was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development.

The order by Criminal Court states that Yameen acquired USD 1 million in bribes in connection to the sale of Aarah which was deposited to HSBC, and later to his account at BML.

It further detailed that USD 1.29 million was deposited to Yameen’s account in Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) on February 21^st, 2017.

The order also states Yameen made a 36-month investment with additional monies at an investment account in MIB, totaling up to USD 3.4 million, on March 14, 2021.

Criminal Court issued Sunday’s order after Yameen because Yameen was found guilty of both charges raised against him in connection to Aarah case.

Yameen has appealed the 11-year-prison sentence to High Court last week.