Maldive Gas ex-MD Maumoon acquitted of five bribery charges

Former Maldive Gas managing director Abdulla Maumoon, who is currently serving a prison sentence for corruption, has been acquitted of five counts of bribery by the Criminal Court.

Prosecutors had charged Maumoon with seven counts of bribery, alleging that he accepted bribes in 2016 while serving as managing director of Maldive Gas during the former Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) administration.

He was previously convicted on two of the charges and sentenced to 12 years, nine months and 18 days in prison. In its ruling on the remaining charges, the court said the prosecution had failed to prove the elements required to establish the crimes.

Following the end of the PPM administration, Maumoon spent an extended period abroad while the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) was investigating the allegations. He was indicted in early 2024 and was barred from leaving the country after returning to the Maldives.

Maumoon had earlier been placed in police custody to be produced before court for sentencing.

A close associate of former president Abdulla Yameen, Maumoon was considered one of the most influential figures within the former administration. During his time overseas, ACC investigation teams reportedly followed his movements in an effort to conclude the investigation.