Former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen's defense team has filed a constitutional case with the aim of securing his eligibility for the upcoming presidential election scheduled for September 9.
However, Yameen is currently is serving an 11-year prison sentence due to money laundering and graft convictions related to the lease of Vaavu atoll Aarah.
According to Yameen's defense attorney Adam Shameem, the delays in his appeal case at the first appellate court are infringing upon several of the former president's rights.
"We have filed a constitutional case with the Maldives Supreme Court to ensure the protection of Yameen's rights," Shameem said, emphasizing that Yameen is the presidential candidate of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).
Despite the constitutional case submitted on his behalf to the Supreme Court, Abdulla Yameen's party has been attempting to submit his name for the presidential election. The party has repeatedly stated that Yameen would be their candidate for this year's election. However, his candidacy is unlikely due to his ineligibility resulting from his criminal conviction.
According to Article 109 (f) of the Maldives Constitution, an eligible presidential candidate must "not have been convicted of a criminal offense and sentenced to a term of more than twelve months unless a period of three years has elapsed since his release or pardon for the offense for which he was sentenced."
Although his defense has appealed to the Maldives High Court regarding the Aarah case, it is unlikely that the case will reach a conclusion due to noticeable delays in the trial.
Meanwhile, the opposition alleges that the government had influenced High Court judges to take leave amid Yameen's appeal in an attempt to stall his case.
PPM has expressed hope that Yameen's case filed with the Supreme Court will conclude in their favor, despite the alleged deliberate laxity in the High Court trial.
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