President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has appealed the prison sentence of 11 years at the High Court of the Maldives.
On December 25, the Criminal Court of the Maldives sentenced former President Yameen to 11 years in prison after finding him guilty of charges of money laundering and accepting bribes in relation to the lease of Aarah, Vaavu Atoll, for resort development through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
Former Vice President Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who is representing Yameen in court, confirmed the sentence has been appealed at the High Court. Earlier, Yameen's lawyers said their aim is to facilitate his release by March.
Meanwhile, another case is ongoing in Criminal Court where 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 has accused Yameen of laundering USD1.1 million of the bribe through Sun Investment Private Limited and Sun Construction Engineering Private Limited.