PO Spokesperson: Government does not influence judiciary

Spokesperson at the President’s Office Miuvaan Mohamed on Monday said that the government does not influence the judiciary, nor have they attempted to influence any judges.

He made these remarks following the opposition’s allegations that the government had influenced the 11 year sentence delivered by the Criminal Court against their leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Speaking with Sun regarding these allegations with Sun, Miuvaan said dismissed the accusations that the government interferes with the judiciary.

“The government will not do anything to influence the judiciary.”

Yameen was charged with money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development during his administration.

He was accused of abusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for the Felidhoo constituency, and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.

Having found him to be guilty of money laundering and bribery, the Criminal Court on Sunday sentenced him to 11 years in prison.

The sentencing was made at around 1800 hrs, and he was taken to Maafushi Prison via a vessel of Maldives Correctional Services at around 1940 hrs.

The opposition has been staging protests the verdict, alleging that this was long orchestrated.