The Criminal Court of the Maldives has accepted new evidence submitted by the state prosecutors in the trial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom over the sale of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll.
The prosecution submitted new evidence to refute the testimony of a witness presented by the defense. In the latest hearing, the presiding judge accepted the new evidence and allowed the prosecution to present the relevant documents. The judge also refused the request from the defense to allow them to give a statement on the new evidence and to review the judge’s decision.
The prosecution submitted new evidence to prove that one of the defense witnesses has given false testimony. The prosecution submitted the minutes of the Economic and Youth Council (EYC) to refute the claim of a witness who was a member of the council that all the minutes of the council had been signed. The prosecution also submitted the employee attendance record of the defense witness.
In the latest hearing, the prosecution was allowed to present all necessary documents pertaining to the new evidence. The court has also notified the prosecution and defense of the date to give their concluding statements.
The state has pressed charges of money laundering and accepting bribes against former President Yameen in relation to the lease of Aarah for resort development through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). The island was leased to a private company after it was taken back and handed over to Felidhoo Island Council in 2015. The island was later handed over to 2G Maldives Private Limited, before leasing the island again to a foreign company. The embezzlement of funds acquired from the lease of Aarah was uncovered during the investigation of the corruption scandal of MMPRC.