Ex-President Yameen meets legal team under Criminal Court order

Maldives Correctional Service (MCS), on Monday, made arrangements for former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to sit down with his legal representatives, following numerous requests put forth by his lawyers.

The opportunity was finally granted to Yameen's legal team under an order issued by the Criminal Court.

Head of the ex-President's legal team and former Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel tweeted his disbelief at having to "witness this day", criticising the justice system.

According to Jameel, the fact that the meeting was only facilitated under a court order proved discrepancies in Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla's "unlawful" statements.

Imran had formerly asserted that the state had not obstructed the former president's legal team from meeting him, adding that a sit-down had not taken place because the lawyers' were not attempting to do so.

Claiming that the "country's hope is still with President Yameen", Jameel said that, god willing, "we will win" the fight for justice.

Regarding the lawyers' complaints during the initial hearing held on August 16 regarding the fresh charges against the former President, Judge Ahmed Shakeel stated that the court will issue an order for Correctional Services to arrange a meeting for Yameen and his legal team.

Yameen's representatives attempted to meet the ex-president several times after the hearing, to no avail. The team also travelled to Maafshi, in Kaafu Atoll, where Yameen is imprisoned.

However, authorities sent them off the island stating that they lacked the Health Protection Agency (HPA)'s permit, which must be acquired from Correctional Service.

The opposition submitted a motion to the Parliament, in addition to raising concerns on several platforms, over the obstructions for Yameen's lawyers to meet him.

In December 2019, the Criminal Court sentenced Yameen to five years in prison and a fine of USD 5 million, on money laundering charges concerning the embezzlement of MVR 3.4 billion from Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

The appeal process of his conviction was accepted by the High Court on December 18, 2019, and is ongoing. However, hearings at the High Court have also been delayed due to Yameen being unable to meet his representatives.