Witnesses for Yameen’s Case Fail to Turn Up to Court, Hearing Delayed Again

The anticipated trial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, who faces charges of money laundering and accepting bribes in relation to the R. Fuggiri lease deal through MMPRC, has once again been cancelled due to the absence of witnesses.

Yameen, who is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for money laundering and taking bribes in the case of V. Aarah lease, was additionally accused of accepting USD 1 million as bribes in the Fuggiri case. 

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Today’s scheduled hearing was called off by the Criminal Court as the prosecution failed to produce its witnesses.

Even though Yameen was declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) for the election due this September, his conviction disqualifies him from competing in the election. Opposition coalition and supporters have set their hopes on the Court overturning the verdict before ECM’s deadline for submitting nominations for candidates.

According to ECM, the period to apply for presidential candidacy is from July 23 to August 7th, 2023.