Adhurey: Yameen’s trial scheduled early to jail him before Ramadan

Opposition PNC’s Leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey) has stated that former President Yameen’s trial has been scheduled early in order to jail him before Ramadan.

Adhurey has strongly criticized the fact that Yameen’s money laundering case has been scheduled for tomorrow – whilst Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof’s trial has been delayed citing the worsened COVID-19 situation in the country.

Speaking to Sun tonight, Adhurey said that the current administration had come to power after pledging to ensure justice. However, Adhurey said that based on how things are unveiling, he does not believe the current administration can ensure justice.

“They are not working to ensure justice. I do not believe the current administration can ensure justice and fairness,” he had said.

He further stressed that there will be no individual who does not understand that the government is trying to jail Yameen at the earliest.

“In podiums, senior government officials are saying Yameen will be put to jail. This is expressing what the government wants,” he had said.

Speaking further, Adhurey said that Yameen’s activities will not come to halt even if the government tries to scare him by holding trials.

He added that Yameen will not bend down on his knees for the government’s threats – and that he ready to stay in jail for the sake of the people and the country should he be put there tomorrow even.

“Everyone will know that Yameen will not bend down on his knees in front of the government. Even prior this, Yameen has stayed for two years without accepting any offers proposed by the government,” he had said.

A hearing in the money laundering case against Yameen in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development has been scheduled for 9:30am tomorrow morning by the Criminal Court.

The Prosecutor General’s Office charged the former president with money laundering and taking a bribe in connection to the case in November 2021. 

Yameen is accused of misusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe as well as laundering the money in the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency. 

Whilst Yameen’s hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow, Criminal Court had stated that Mahloof’s trial will commence once the COVID-19 situation in the country improves.

Mahloof was charged based on the findings of an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) graft scandal. 

ACC found that in 2014, then-parliamentarian Mahloof received USD 33,000 in funds stolen from MMPRC as a bribe from then-Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor to remain a member of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and vote for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Bill on August 27, 2014.