Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has submitted a petition to the Prosecutor General’s Office, seeking a review of the criminal charges brought against him. According to sources, the Prosecutor General’s Office is currently evaluating Yameen’s request, which includes revisiting the remand status of individuals detained or arrested in relation to his case. However, no final decision has been made on the petition yet.
Yameen’s legal troubles stem from a December 25, 2022, ruling by the Criminal Court, which sentenced him to 11 years in prison and fined him USD 3 million after finding him guilty of money laundering and accepting bribes. The former president filed an appeal against this conviction in March of the following year, and the hearings for his appeal concluded several months ago.
The High Court, in its review, highlighted concerns about the Criminal Court’s ruling. It noted issues such as alleged violations of constitutional rights and an unfair trial process, suggesting that the conviction should be overturned and that a retrial be held.
Meanwhile, the Criminal Court is also handling an additional case involving Yameen, which involves separate allegations of accepting a bribe of USD 1 million and laundering the funds. The case is ongoing, with further hearings expected as legal proceedings continue.
As Yameen’s legal team awaits a decision on the petition from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the case continues to draw significant attention due to its potential implications for Maldivian politics and governance.
