The Criminal Court of Maldives has sentenced former President Abdulla Yameen to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery.
Yameen was accused of abusing power and taking $1 Million kickbacks from a private company to facilitate the sale of Aarah for resort development.
Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined $5 million in 2019 for embezzlement of state funds.
After his sentencing, he was moved to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later.
Since his release, the former President has returned to active politics. He is also PPM’s candidate for the 2023 Presidential Election.
Supporters of the former President have remained on the streets protesting against his sentence. He has been transferred to Maafushi Jail where he will serve his 11 year sentence.
The opposition coalition comprising of PPM and PNC has rejected the verdict of the Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Shakil towards Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, adding that it is politically motivated.
