Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated two cases related to the funds in former President Abdulla Yameen’s bank accounts are currently under investigation.
Investigation officers of MPS made the statement in the latest appeal hearing held at the Supreme Court of the Maldives, regarding the request to freeze the former president’s bank accounts.
During the hearing, Supreme Court Justice Husnu Suood asked the investigation officers whether the funds under the accounts are currently under investigation. In response, the investigation officers said two cases related to the funds are currently under investigation, although they did not disclose any details on the two cases.
The statement was refuted by former President Yameen who said no investigation has been launched specifically regarding the funds in his bank accounts. However, he said MPS is conducting a general investigation which does not directly relate to the funds in his bank accounts.
The Criminal Court of the Maldives had ordered to freeze Yameen’s bank accounts in relation to the embezzlement and money laundering charges pressed against him. However, the High Court of the Maldives overturned the ruling and ordered to release the accounts. The order was subsequently appealed at the Supreme Court by the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).
During the latest appeal hearing, several questions were raised by the judges’ bench to the state attorneys and the investigation officers involved in the case. The court will issue a ruling on the case during the next hearing.