Ministry of Finance has issued USD 155,000 to former President Abdulla Yameen as the allowances he was to receive as a former president for the duration in which he served the later-overturned prison sentence.
Former President Yameen had been sentenced to 5 years in prison in November 2019 after the Criminal Court of the Maldives found him guilty of laundering USD 1 million received as the acquisition cost for the lease of Vodamula, Gaafu Alifu Atoll for resort development through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). However, on November 30, 2021, the Supreme Court overturned the sentence after ruling that the state could not prove that the funds deposited to Yameen’s bank account had indeed belonged to the state.
Following the termination of the sentence, Yameen is now eligible to receive the special allowances issued under the state budget for former presidents. Following a request by Yameen to receive the allowances for the duration of the sentence he served, the finance ministry has issued USD 155,000 for the jailed duration.
According to the Privileges and Protection to Former Presidents Act, any former president who served one term in office will receive a monthly allowance of USD 3,245, while any former president who served two terms in office will receive a monthly allowance of USD 4,867. In addition, they will also receive allowances to cover their accommodation and office expenses.