State to justify decree on highest criminal fine, short prison sentence in Yameen's money-laundering case
Yameen presented 22 appeal points
Ex-President Abdulla Yameen
State attorneys have been questioned regarding the money-laundering sentence issued on incarcerated Former President Abdulla Yameen.
A hearing for state attorneys to respond to appeal points proposed by the defendant in Yameen’s sentence appeal trial, was held on Thursday.
The trial is ongoing at the Supreme Court, and a total of 22 points were presented by the defendant.
One of the appeal points highlight that the fine imposed on him along with the prison sentence was the highest in accordance to the set procedure.
Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir cited the defendant’s claim that the fine imposed on him was the highest, with the case initially having revolved around USD one million. He questioned how the state justifies the decision of the highest fine and lowest penalty in imprisonment in connection to the case.
The state attorney revealed that the justice has the power to declare a ruling, stating that the ruling would have to make sure the fine did not exceed the amount laundered by five-fold, and the prison sentence was between five to 15 years.
As this was the first charge proven guilty against Yameen, the imprisonment sentence was reduced. However, the state believed that the penalty for fines had to be increased. This was done owing to the intensity of losses to the state as well as Yameen’s capacity during the time.
Justice Mahaz went on to request the state attorney to justify the decree, in details. The state attorney will be presented the chance to justify the decree, during the next hearing.
The corruption trial against Yameen over the lease of R. Fuhgiri for resort development, is also ongoing. Further, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Presidential Inquiry Commission on Asset Recovery as well as the Maldives Police Service are currently conducting probes against the ex-president, regarding the MMPRC grand corruption case.
Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison on 28 November 2019, after being found guilty of laundering USD one million through state-owned MMPRC via a private company, Scores of Flair, during his presidential tenure. He was also given a fine totaling USD five million, along with the jail sentence, to be settled within six months.
