Verdict delayed in ex-Maldive Gas MD case

Criminal Court has cancelled today's hearing to announce the verdict on five charges of bribery against former Managing Director of Maldive Gas Abdulla Maumoon.

Maumoon is currently serving a 12 year prison sentence on two separate corruption convictions. 

The State charged Maumoon with accepting bribes in 2016 during his tenure as Maldive Gas MD in former President Abdulla Yameen's administration. In the case, seven separate charges were brought against him. 

He was convicted of two of the charges, and sentenced to 12 year, 9 months and 18 days in prison. 

The court was due to announce a verdict on the remaining five charges in a hearing scheduled for 11:30 am today. However, this hearing has now been cancelled, citing administrative reasons. 

After Yameen's PPM administration came to an end, the Anti Corruption Commission launched an investigation against Maumoon. While the investigation was ongoing, Maumoon left the country and spent many years abroad. However, the State charged him in early-2024. He later returned to the Maldives of his own accord, and a travel ban was issued against him. 

In the earlier convictions, Maumoon had been presented to court under police custody.