The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has lodged an appeal against the High Court’s decision to overturn the lower court’s order for former President Abdulla Yameen to pay USD 3.4 million.
In December 2022, former President Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison by the Criminal Court after being found guilty of money laundering and accepting bribes in relation to the lease of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll, for resort development through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The court also directed Yameen to pay USD 3.4 million to the state within six months from February.
After the appeal hearings, the High Court concluded that the Criminal Court did not provide sufficient reason to issue the fine, which was not initially requested by the state. It also found that the lower court had violated procedures by issuing the fine two months after rendering its verdict in the Aarah case, upon request from the state through a letter. PGO has stated that the Criminal Court’s verdict has been appealed in the High Court.
The USD 3.4 million allegedly laundered by President Yameen includes USD 1 million for which he was convicted of laundering, the combined USD 2 million, and the profits generated from investing the money.
