The Criminal Court of the Maldives has scheduled the closing arguments for the trial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom over the sale of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll.
Presiding Judge Ahmed Shakeel scheduled the closing arguments to be presented in a hearing on November 30. Afterward, the court will hold the sentencing hearing.
In the last hearing, the court accepted new evidence submitted by state prosecutors to refute the testimony of a witness presented by the defense. The judge allowed the prosecution to present the relevant documents pertaining to the new evidence and 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 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.