Jailed ex-pres. named as a defence witness in Sun Investment trial

Jailed former President Abdulla Yameen has been named as a defence witness, in the state’s money laundering trial against Sun Investment Private Limited.

While the jailed former president was charged with bribery and money laundering earlier this year, in relation to the leasing of Fuggiri island in Raa atoll for resort development through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), the company is accused laundering USD 1.1 million Yameen had received as a bribe.

Sun Investment Private Limited denies the charge.

While a hearing in the trial was held on Monday, Sun group’s attorney Ali Shah told RaajjeMV that they had requested to call the former president as a defence witness as the case stems from the USD one million he transferred to the company’s account. He said that this is to prove that this was a currency exchange transaction, and that the company had released the total worth in Rufiyya to the former president.

Former President Yameen was convicted on a money laundering charge last year, and sentenced to five years in prison.

Sun Investment submitted a second witness as well, company employee Mohamed Shamil.

Further, Shah said that a total of 37 written documents were submitted to prove no wrongdoing on the company’s behalf.

The prosecution submitted its witness list as well as other required documents to prove its case against Sun Investment at a hearing held on December 20, where the defence had requested more time to collect and prepare their material.

While the state named former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former MMPRC MD Abdulla Ziyath as witnesses, they are both serving sentences in connection to the MMPRC corruption scandal after signing a plea deal.