The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has extended additional leniency in the terms of the house arrest of former President Abdulla Yameen.
Former President Yameen was transferred from Maafushi Prison to his home in Male’ City on October 1. MCS stated that Yameen is now allowed to leave his home for medical care-related purposes with prior permission from the service. The concession is attributed to Yameen's health condition, according to MCS.
Despite ongoing appeal hearings challenging Yameen's money laundering and bribery convictions in the High Court of the Maldives, concerns have been raised by his legal team regarding the protracted nature of the proceedings. The recent cancellation of scheduled hearings, at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO), has amplified the concerns. Yameen's legal representatives are also advocating for the withdrawal of charges against him.
In December 2022, the Criminal Court 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 Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). He lost the opportunity to compete in the 2023 presidential election following the Supreme Court's ruling that his ongoing prison sentence renders him ineligible to stand as a candidate. Afterward, the PPM-PNC coalition united to support Dr. Muizzu as the opposition candidate for the presidential election.