Yameen convicted of bribery and money laundering

The Criminal Court has convicted former President Abdulla Yameen of bribery and money laundering in the Vaavu atoll Aarah case.

Yameen was charged with accepting USD 1 million in bribes and laundering said money. Former MP Yousuf Naeem was charged with bribery in the case.

The Criminal Court ruled that a check issued from Yousuf Naeem's account was deposited in Yameen's account.

While the Constitution prohibits an incumbent president from conducting business or obtaining financial gains, the judgment questioned the funds deposited into Yameen’s account during the time when a company owned by Yousuf Naeem had negotiated a lease for Vaavu atoll Aarah.

The judgment said that even if the money was received for political purposes it was not reflected in Progressive Party of Maldives' (PPM) financial accounts. According to the law, political funds must be handled through a candidates' agents.

The verdict also stated that it was proven that Yameen have sought bribes in the Aarah case, and the subsequent deposit of money into Yameen's account by Yousuf Naeem showed that it was criminally procured from the point of view of a reasonable person.

Summary of Judgment

- Yameen received bribes from the lease of Aarah

- It is not coincidental that Yousuf Naeem's account made a payment to Yameen

- Yameen invested the money he received knowing it was bribe money

- An income was received which does not match salary

- It was an unauthorized financial incentive for Yameen

According to the Penal Code, the elements of the offense of bribery are provision of an unauthorized financial benefit in order to influence something to be done in an official capacity. The judgment said the evidence proved that the money was indeed from the lease transaction of Aarah.

"I determine that the elements of the offense have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt." Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel delivered the verdict.

The court ruled that evidence proved Yameen had invested the money with additional funds after the USD 1 million was deposited in his account.

The judgement says that the lease amount of Aarah was changed several times and Yameen had been consulted on the matter, according to witnesses.

"The court does not see it as a coincidence that an account in Abdulla Yameen's name was suddenly reactivated and money was deposited from an account in Yousuf Naeem's name," the Chief Judge said.

"It is certain that Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom was aware that the money he received was in connection with the lease of Vaavu atoll Aarah," the judgment states.

The prosecution asked for a 19 year prison sentence; of which eight years are for bribery charges and 11 years for money laundering with a fine of USD 5 million.

Yameen and Yousuf Naeem asked for 10 days to discuss the punishment. However, Chief Judge Shakeel decided to continue the hearing at 2 p.m. today, where Yameen's sentence will be determined.