Stay of execution on enforcement of Yameen’s fine to not be appealed

Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) has decided against appealing High Court’s stay of execution order with respect to the enforcement of the USD 5 million fine imposed on former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery charges.

Criminal Court sentenced Yameen to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2022, after finding him guilty of money laundering and bribery charges in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development. He also received a fine of USD 5 million.

Yameen appealed the verdict to High Court on February 21^st, and later resubmitted the appeal petition after amendments requested by the High Court on March 15^th.

On August 7^th, he also sought a stay of execution order regarding the enforcement of both the prison sentence and the fine.

On Sunday, the High Court ordered to halt proceedings in all cases seeking the settlement of the fine from Yameen; a unanimous decision of the three judges who reviewed the request from Yameen.

In the judgment, the decision to grant a stay of execution order with respect to the fine explained that the appellate court will face obstructions in the pursuit of justice if a decision is made in a case that has been filed seeking the settlement of the fine from Yameen. 

However, he was denied a stay of execution on his prison sentence, citing neither the Criminal Procedure Act nor Penal Code had any provisions on staying the execution of a lower court judgment once appealed to superior court.

PG Office, on Monday night, said that High Court’s order, was only temporary. Citing a hearing in Yameen’s appeal case has been scheduled for Wednesday, said once a verdict is reached in the case, the stay of execution order will cease to be in effect. Therewith, PG Office said they will not appeal the order.

Yameen, who was awarded PPM’s presidential ticket, lost the opportunity to contest this year’s presidential election after Supreme Court found him an ineligible candidate in light of the 11-year prison sentence and the fine.