Fuggiri Bribery, Money Laundering Hearing Against Former President Yameen Cancelled

The court hearing regarding the lease of R. Fuggiri, in which former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom is accused of money laundering and accepting bribes by abusing his official position, has been canceled.

The last hearings for this case were held in 2025. After a hiatus of nearly a year, a new hearing has finally been scheduled for this Wednesday.

However, the Criminal Court stated that the hearing was canceled at the request of the prosecution. Providing further details, the court noted that the cancellation followed a request from the state, as the assigned prosecutor had to travel abroad for medical reasons.

Former President Yameen has been accused of abusing his official position to accept bribes in connection with the lease of R. Fuggiri. In 2022, the Criminal Court sentenced him to 11 years in prison regarding this matter.

However, following its review, the High Court ruled that the Criminal Court must conduct a retrial of the case. Portions of the High Court's judgment have since been appealed to the Supreme Court. The appeal specifically challenges the decision to set aside evidence submitted by the state to prove the corruption charges against President Yameen during the initial Criminal Court proceedings.

Following the Criminal Court's ruling that the charges against two companies owned by Sun Siyam were not proven, and the state's decision to withdraw charges against Ahmed Riza (Krik), the case involving former President Yameen remains the only matter currently proceeding through the courts in the Fuggiri investigation.

Furthermore, a court hearing has been scheduled for September 29 in the case where former President Yameen is accused of accepting bribes and laundering money in connection with the lease of V. Aarash through MMPRC.