Former President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen gets an 11-year jail term

New Delhi: Male’s Criminal Court sentenced former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to seven years in prison and fined him USD five million for finding him guilty of money laundering.

In addition, Yameen was sentenced to four years in prison for finding him guilty of receiving a bribe and for corruption.

Yameen has been given a total sentence of 11 years in prison. He was also slapped with a USD 5 million fine, which he needs to settle with the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within six months.

Following the sentencing, the former President has now been transferred to the Maafushi Prison. The sentencing was ordered around 1800 hrs on Sunday, and he was taken to Maafushi Prison via a boat of Maldives Correctional Services at around 2000 hours.

Yameen was charged with money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development during his administration. He was accused of abusing his position, taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for the Felidhoo constituency, and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe. Both defendants were ruled guilty of the charges against them during an afternoon hearing. Yoosuf Naeem was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days in prison.

Protests in Maldives

The opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) took to the streets and demanded the release of former President Yameen following the delivery of his 11-year jail sentence.

Maldives Police arrested sixteen protestors, including a woman. The protest commenced near the Majeedhee Magu – Chaandhanee Magu junction. Participants were seen holding flags and banners and walking towards the artificial beach area.

Police in large numbers are patrolling the city and have asked civilians not to protest or assemble.

Abdulla Yameen lost power in 2018 but has been declared Presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election in November 2023. Yameen was arrested in 2019 and was in jail for five years for embezzling.