State requests to seize funds in President Yameen’s account

The Prosecutor General’s Office has requested to seize the money in former President Yameen’s bank account in the money laundering case he was found guilty of.

The former president was jailed for five years and fined USD five million after the Criminal Court found him guilty of money laundering. The case stemmed from USD one million deposited to the former President’s account.

The Prosecutor General’s office tweeted that it had requested the seizure of the funds in President Yameen’s account under Article 192 of the Criminal Procedure Code and Article (62) of The Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act.

Article 192 of the Criminal Procedure Code states that the court should order the seizure of assets and finance gained as a consequence of criminal activity committed by the accused. The article also allows the seizure of any further funds of assets gained from using the initial illegal earnings.

Article (62) of The Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act states that any finance and assets used for crimes related to money laundering, laundered finances or assets, finance or assets gained or to be gained directly or indirectly from such illegal activities can be seized by the state.

President Yameen was found guilty of money laundering on the transaction of USD one million transferred from the SOF account to the former President’s account. The money which was transferred was originally the acquisition costs of G.A. Vodamulla leased by MMPRC. President Yameen denied the accusations and maintained that the funds were campaign finances gained by donors and was overseen by former Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb.

The case is now on appeal at the High Court. President Yameen’s lawyers have requested the former President be released on bail, however, a decision on this matter has not yet been reached.