A hearing has been held for the two charges raised against former president Abdulla Yameen in connection to the lease of Fuhgiri island in Raa atoll.

The submissions by both the defendant and the state were presented for the trial.

While the state made one submission, it was under Article 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code. In their submission, the information included in the CD presented in the state's report has been requested to be protected.

Further, the defendant made four submissions. One of them was a request to dismiss the testimonies of some persons made as witnesses. The second one stated that some inconsistencies were observed in the charges' form, therefore the charges not being eligible to hold. The third, was that there was a legal conflict between the defendant and those who were raising these charges against him, and a request for this issue to be separated prior to going forward with the hearings to avoid any bias, and for the result to be impartial and neutral.

As a fourth point, the defendant sought for the evidence to be presented. Five points were detailed in this request.

Sunday's hearing revolved around a decision on the submissions by both parties.

The case against Yameen over the lease of Fuhgiri island is linked with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal. He is charged with money laundering and bribery in connection to the case.

The others on trial along with the former President are, Ahamed Krik Riza, Sun Construction and Sun Investments Pvt. Ltd. However, the submissions on the latter are yet to be carried out.

Yameen had employed Krik Riza to launder USD 1,117,000 in bribes through Sun Construction and Engineering Pvt. Ltd. and Sun Investments Pvt. Ltd. Therefore, the charges seek to procure the laundered amount from Yameen through court.

The presiding judge has scheduled another hearing for 16th September 2021, to be held at 9am. At 9am, Krik Riza will be given the opportunity to present his submissions, and at 10am the same day, Sun Investments Pvt. Ltd. Will be granted their chance, and finally at 11:00am, through Sun Construction will be given their chance to present submissions as well.

Presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel stated that considering the obtained evidence so far, the matter can be settled through civil means.