Former Parliament member for Felidhoo constituency Yoosuf Naeem denied the accusation that he had bribed former President Abdulla Yameen with MVR 1 million over the lease of Vaavu Aarah.
The state is pressing charges against both Yameen and Yoosuf Naeem over the lease transaction of Aarah of Vaavu atoll, involved in the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations (MMPRC) Corruption. Yoosuf Naeem is accused of offering a bribe of MVR 1 million to Yameen so that Aarah could be leased to a company that Yoosuf Naeem has shares in. Yameen is accused of accepting said bribe and further laundering the money.
Yoosuf Naeem's lawyers denied the charges at a hearing held at the Criminal Court on Wednesday, saying he had nothing to do with the two transactions shown by the state as proof of bribing the former president. His lawyers also said they would prove it in court.
While Yoosuf Naeem had requested for a 30 day period to provide the relevant evidence in his defence, Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel gave him a period of seven days to present the evidence.
Since it was decided that the trial and its hearings would not be live broadcasted, Yameen and his lawyers expressed concern over the matter during Wednesday's trial as well.
He requested to delay the trial until arrangements could be made to live broadcast the trial, if the current facilities do not allow for it currently.
Former Vice President Mohamed Jameel, who is a part of Yameen's legal team, said it was important to live broadcast the trial when there were rumors that powerful people were attempting to influence the outcome of the trial.
Chief Judge had said they were not broadcasting the trial live at the moment due to a lack of facilities. However they were working on solving the issue, he said.
If found guilty of bribery, they face at least three years in prison. Yameen faces at least five years in prison if the laundering charge against him is proven in court.
Yameen is also being charged with money laundering in connection with the lease of Raa Fuguri. The trial for this case is being conducted separately. He had been previously sentenced to five years in prison when found guilty of money laundering in transaction involving the lease of Gaafu Alif Vodamulla. However the Supreme Court overturned the ruling in November 2021, and he was subsequently freed.
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