Dr. Jameel: Yameen’s appeal being stalled by influencing PG

Former vice president Dr. Mohamed Jameel who serves as a lawyer to opposition leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, has alleged undue influence on Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem to stall the appeal hearing of Yameen.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison and slapped with a USD 5 million fine on December 25, 2022, after he was found guilty of money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development. While Yameen has appealed his conviction to High Court, the proceedings in the appeal have been slow for various reasons. In this regard, a hearing slated for yesterday afternoon was also canceled at the request of PG Office.

Jameel, who spoke to Sun on Monday, underscored PG Office has been repeatedly requesting to cancel hearings in Yameen’s appeal, which he likened to a result of PG Office and especially Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem being influenced. He also claimed to have evidence to back his allegations.

However, Jameel did not disclose the “party” that was influencing PG Office. He said he would disclose these details at a later time.

Jameel alleged that PG Office was acting in this manner to obstruct justice. He stressed the need for courts to take action against parties that obstruct the course of justice.

He said canceling the hearings in Yameen’s appeal while it is at the brink of conclusion is not fair just because of the extenuating circumstances of a state prosecutor. Jameel stressed that many of Yameen's rights were being infringed as a result of the cancellation.

“As I believe, some people want to stop Yameen from being freed,” he added.

Sun has been unsuccessful in efforts to obtain a comment from PG Shameem regarding Jameel’s allegations as he did not answer his phone.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih exercised his executive powers to transfer Yameen to home confinement following months in prison after PPM-PNC coalition’s win in the presidential election. He said he was prioritizing the nation’s interest. The transfer came after an appeal made by president-elect, PNC’s Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to transfer Yameen to home confinement.