Yameen files new case with Supreme Court

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has submitted a new constitutional case with the Supreme Court over the delay in a decision from the High Court regarding the appeal of his jail sentence – which is jeopardizing his bid to get re-elected to office.

A top official from Yameen’s party, the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), confirmed a new case was submitted on Tuesday.

Yameen’s legal team was not immediately available for comment.

The submission of the new case comes two days after the court rejected a similar one filed on Saturday, citing that the case did not meet the criteria for a constitutional case as prescribed by law.

The court has yet to make a decision regarding the new case.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25th, last year, after he was found guilty of bribery and money laundering charges in connection to the sale of Vaav Aarah for resort development.

The conviction – if it is not overturned - will disqualify him from contesting the upcoming presidential election.

The High Court last held a hearing in the case on July 5th.

The court said two weeks back that it is “unable” to say when the next one can be scheduled.

The opposition leader’s political allies and supporters have expressed concern over the delay in appeal proceedings, which they see as a deliberate move by the government to prevent him from contesting the upcoming presidential election.

Though his eligibility for the September 9th election continues to hang in the balance, his party, the PPM continues to insist that Yameen is their only choice for a presidential candidate.

But with the window for filing candidacy set to close on August 7th, time is running out for Yameen and his party – which is the second largest party in the country.