The Criminal Court of the Maldives has concluded the trial over the money laundering and bribery charges against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and former Parliamentarian Yoosuf Naeem and has scheduled the verdict for December.
The prosecution and the defence filed summary statements at the conclusion hearing, which continued from morning to evening on 30th November.
In the summary statement, the prosecution referred to the submissions and the evidence received. The prosecution argued the evidence presented by the defense was fabricated and false. The lawyers for the defendants said the prosecution could not prove what was done to lease Aarah to a particular person. The defence lawyers also said that Yameen is a politician and his political income should not be detailed and disclosed to the public.
After concluding the hearings, presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel said the case was filed on November 24, 2021, and over 60 hours of hearings have been conducted for the case. He said the court will hold the sentencing hearing within one month.
The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has pressed charges of money laundering and accepting bribes against former President Yameen in relation to the lease of Aarah for resort development through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The embezzlement of funds acquired from the lease of Aarah was uncovered during the investigation of the corruption scandal of MMPRC. The prosecution charges former Parliamentarian Yoosuf Naeem over bribery.
