Ex-President Yameen charged with money laundering in Aarah case

Former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been charged with money laundering and taking a bribe in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development. 

According to Prosecutor General’s Office spokesperson, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu, Yameen is suspected of using the influence of his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe and laundering the money in connection to the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem (Handhuvareege, N. Velidhoo) for resort development. 

Meanwhile, Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency, has been charged with giving a bribe. 

The Aarah case is linked with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal.

Police concluded their investigation into the case and requested the Prosecutor General’s Office for money laundering and bribery charges against Yameen back in April.

Yameen is already serving a five-year prison sentence for money laundering, after he was convicted of laundering USD 1 million from the sale of GA. Vodamula on November 28, 2019.

He was also fined USD 5 million in the case.

Yameen was serving his sentence in Maafushi Prison, but was transferred to home confinement following an outbreak of COVID-19 at the  prison in April.