Sun Construction and Engineering Private Limited has denied the money-laundering charges against the company.

The company is charged with money-laundering involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) with the now incarcerated former President Abdulla Yameen, in relation to the leasing of Fuggiri island in Raa atoll for resort development.

During a preliminary hearing at the Criminal Court on Tuesday, Sun Construction was given the opportunity to respond to the corruption allegations against it.

Since the company has denied the charges, next will be allowing time for the prosecution and defence to present case documents. Presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel has allowed both parties a period of 15 days to submit evidence and witness names, to prove their cases.

Earlier, Sun Investment Private Limited was charged in connection to the Fuggiri case. While it is charged with laundering USD 1.1 million Yameen received as a bribe in leasing the island for resort development, Sun Investment has denied the charge as well.

During Monday’s hearing in the state’s money laundering trial against Sun Investment, the group named the former president, who himself is currently jailed over the MMPRC scandal, as a defense witness.

The defence submitted 37 written documents to prove no wrongdoings from the company, as well. 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.

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 corruption scandal after signing a plea deal.

The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office has revealed that they aim to recover MVR 591,118,915.20 owed to the state from the accused.

Former President Yameen was convicted on a money laundering charge last year, and sentenced to five years in prison. He was charged with bribery and money laundering over the Fuggiri case, this year.