Former president Yameen asks for review of charges against him

Former Maldivian president Abdulla Yameen has asked the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) to review the criminal cases filed against him with the court.

The PGO had opened applications for a review of charges and detention orders filed by the court during the tenure of former prosecutor general Hussain Shameem on October 1. The PGO said on Sunday that it received 539 requests by the deadline – October 20.

Yameen’s lawyer and close aide, former vice president Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed confirms the legal team requested the PGO for a review of the criminal cases against the former Maldivian leader.

But he did not provide any details.

Yameen had three money laundering cases filed against him during the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration.

In 2019, Yameen was found was sentenced to five years in prison after he was convicted of money laundering in connection to the sale of GA. Vodamulla during his administration. But the conviction was overturned upon appeal by the Supreme Court in 2021.

In 2022, Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison after he was convicted of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah – another island leased during his administration. But the conviction was overturned by the High Court on April 18. The court cited major legal irregularities during the original trial, and ordered the Criminal Court for a retrial.

He also has a third case filed against him with the Criminal Court on similar charges.

All three cases against Yameen are linked to the MMPRC graft scandal – described as the biggest corruption case in Maldivian history. The former Maldivian leader was denied the allegations against him, insisting that he wants to provide his innocence through fair trial.