Maldives ex-VP found guilty over MMPRC embezzlement scandal

Criminal Court has found Maldives’ former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb guilty of seven counts of charges related to embezzlement and money laundering, and is to give out his sentence later on Monday.

While the charges were pressed against the former VP in relation to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) scandal, a second hearing in the case was held in the morning.

Adeeb had plead guilty to the charges at the preliminary hearing held last week, and had maintained this at Monday’s hearing.

Criminal Court had initially announced to hold a verdict hearing on October 12, however, the state prosecutor repeatedly noted that they had sought to fast-track the verdict given that the defendant’s admission of guilt.

Noting that the reason for holding a verdict hearing another day is as the court requires time to write up the sentences for the seven charges separately, presiding Judge Hassan Saeed adjourned the hearing.

Resuming shortly after, the judge announced that the verdict hearing will be held at 6pm today (Monday).

The former VP has signed a plea deal with the state in return for full cooperation in the biggest corruption scandal in Maldives’ history. Even with the guilt plea, Adeeb will receive a 20-year jail sentence.

He has asked the court for “leniency”.

While defence had attempted to review the current confessional agreement to reduce the 20-year jail sentence, no such changes were announced at the hearing.

The former VP will also be issued a USD two million fine.

The charges against Adeeb are; two counts of embezzlement, two counts of money laundering, exerting influence for illicit gains, exerting influence to earn illicit gains for another party, and abuse of power.