High Court accepts appeal for Yameen's prison sentence

The High Court on Tuesday accepted the appeal for President Abdulla Yameen's jail sentence.

Yameen was convicted of bribery and money laundering in connection with the sale of Vaavu atoll Aarah, and sentenced to 11 years in prison with a fine of USD 5 million (MVR 77 million) by the Criminal Court last December.

Yameen's lawyers appealed the Criminal Court's judgement in February. The High Court accepted and registered the case after ordering some aspects of the appeal to be amended.

The opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has expressed concern over the delay in hearing the case. Yameen's lawyers had earlier claimed that he would be released by the High Court in March.

As of now, due to his hefty jail sentence, Yameen has been disqualified from contesting in the presidential election slated for September 9. In addition to the Aarah case, another charge is also pending against Yameen in connection with the lease transaction of Raa atoll Fuggirri.