Maldives’ former president Abdulla Yameen sentenced to 5 yrs in jail for money laundering

The five judge bench of criminal court unanimously concurred that Yameen is guilty on the charge of laundering state funds for personal gain.

He was accused of over 1 million dollars deposit in his bank account by a company that was used to channel resort acquisition fees.

The bench ruled that former President while in office, violated an agreement signed with the anti-corruption commission to hold the money in an escrow account.

The court also fined the 60-year-old opposition leader with 5 million US dollars.

Opposition supporters protested near the court carrying placards condemning the trial as politically motivated and accusing the government of hijacking the judiciary.

Speaking at a gathering outside his party office last night, Mr. Yameen warned supporters to beware of people who might take over the opposition coalition if he is sent to prison.

He served as Maldives President from 2013 to 2018 when he lost his reelection bid last year.