State prosecutors have decided to present new evidence found in the Pandora Papers in the trial involving bribery and money laundering charges filed against former President Abdulla Yameen for the lease of Fuhgiri, Raa Atoll, through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
The Criminal Court held the latest hearing on January 3, with former President Yameen attending via video conferencing from Maafushi Prison. Judge Ali Nadheem presided over the hearing, as Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel has recused himself.
At the hearing, state prosecutors requested to present new evidence found in the Pandora Papers, which are a collection of leaked documents published by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) in late 2021. They noted that a letter was sent to the court requesting to introduce further evidence. The defence also requested to present new evidence and Judge Nadheem said that he would decide on accepting the evidence after they are presented.
Additionally, the defence teams of former President Yameen and Ahmed Krik Riza requested Judge Nadheem to recuse himself, as he had legally represented former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, who is a key state witness in the Fuhgiri trial. Judge Nadheem responded by saying that he had represented Adeeb seven years ago at a hearing held to determine Adeeb's remand sentence and that he has never represented Adeeb in a criminal case.
Former President Yameen is charged with seeking a bribe of USD1.3 million to lease Fuhgiri to City Island Holdings Limited, which was facilitated by Ahmed Krik Riza. The state accused Yameen of laundering USD1.1 million of the bribe through Sun Investment Private Limited and Sun Construction Engineering Private Limited.
Former President Yameen is already serving an 11-year prison sentence after being found guilty of charges of money laundering and accepting bribes in relation to the lease of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll, for resort development through MMPRC.