Adeeb finishes serving his last sentence

Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor has walked free upon completion of his last prison sentence.

Maldives Correctional Service reports Adeeb is no longer in its custody.

Superior courts, earlier this year, overturned and ordered reviews of all major prison sentences against Adeeb.

He began serving his last prison sentence – a 15-day-sentence for contempt of court – on June 30. The sentence was suspended when Adeeb was granted medial furlough to travel to India. He resumed serving the sentence upon return to Maldives on July 6.

Adeeb had previously been serving three long-term prison sentences; a 15-year sentence over the explosion onboard the presidential speedboat, Finifenma, in 2015; a 10-year sentence for possession of a firearm; and the eight-year sentence for embezzling USD 1 million paid by Kuredu Holdings to MMPRC as acquisition cost to develop a resort in Maabinhura.

However, the 15-year sentence in the Finifenma explosion case was overturned and ordered for a retrial by High Court on May 20; the 10-year sentence for possession of a firearm was overturned by the Supreme Court on May 27; and the last sentence – the eight-year sentence for embezzlement was overturned and ordered for a retrial by High Court on May 30.

The State later appealed the decision by High Court to overturn the sentence issued against Adeeb for embezzlement at the Supreme Court. And the court, on June 24, issued a temporary court order on Maldives Immigration to suspend Adeeb’s passport.

The suspension of Adeeb’s passport means he will not be allowed to travel abroad despite no longer being in custody of Maldives Correctional Service.