Charges against former MNDF Chief Shiyam dropped after seven years

After having appealed the Criminal Court's acquittal of former Chief of Defence Force Ahmed Shiyam on charges of abuse of official position, the State has now withdrawn the case.

The State had charged Shiyam, who served as MNDF Chief during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, for having accommodated his father at an MNDF VIP Building and appointing an officer to take care of him during Shiyam's time in office.

On October 1 last year, the Criminal Court found Shiyam not guilty, leading to the prosecution appealing the case at the High Court in January.

However, on June 30, the PG Office withdrew the case.

The subsequent report from the High Court released after cancelling the charge sheet read that the PG Office had applied to withdraw the case as it has been seven years since the incident and because there are no further cases at the PG Office against Shiyam.

The PG Office has requested to cancel the appeal, stating no intention to proceed, as per the High Court report.