Yameen appeals court order to pay USD 3.4M to state

Opposition leader, former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has appealed Criminal Court’s order instructing him to pay the state USD 3.4 million from the USD 5 million fine imposed on him in connection to his money laundering and bribery conviction in Aarah case within six months to the High Court.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined USD 5 million on December 25, 2022, after he was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development.

Criminal Court ordered Yameen to USD 3.4 million from the USD 5 million within six months on February 26^th.

The order was appealed to the High Court from Yameen’s side on Monday. High Court, however, has yet to make a decision regarding accepting the appeal.

The order by Criminal Court states that Yameen acquired USD 1 million in bribes in connection to the sale of Aarah which was deposited to HSBC, and later to his account at BML.

It further detailed that USD 1.29 million was deposited to Yameen’s account in Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) on February 21^st, 2017.

The order also states Yameen made a 36-month investment with additional monies at an investment account in MIB, totaling up to USD 3.4 million, on March 14, 2021.

Criminal Court issued Sunday’s order after Yameen because Yameen was found guilty of both charges raised against him in connection to Aarah case.

Yameen has appealed the 11-year prison sentence to High Court as well. High Court instructed the revision of the appeal form last Thursday.