Azima served court papers in money laundering case

Leading Maldivian attorney, Aishath Azima Shakoor has been served court papers in the money laundering case against her.

Azima, who served as Minister of Legal Affairs at the President’s Office during former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration, has been charged with facilitating money laundering and providing false information to State authorities.

The charges were filed against her with the Criminal Court by the Prosecutor General’s Office on February 17.

‘Sun’ has been informed Azima was served her court papers this Thursday morning.

Her phone is switched off and was therefore not immediately available for comment.

According to the Criminal Procedure Code, defendants need to be served with court papers within five days after charges are filed.

Azima, who previously also served as Attorney General, is accused of assisting Yameen – who himself has been charged with money laundering – launder funds embezzled from Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

Money Laundering and Terrorism Funding Act prescribes a prison sentence of 2-10 years or a fine of MVR 50,000-MVR 500,000 or both for facilitating money laundering.

And the Penal Code prescribes a prison sentence of four months and 24 days to 1 year for providing false information to State institutions.