Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for next month in the case involving former President Abdullah Yameen over allegations linked to the lease of Vaavu Aarah.

The hearing is set for 9:00 am on 1 July.

The case relates to allegations that Yameen accepted and laundered USD 1 million in bribes in connection with Vaavu Aarah lease transaction. The Criminal Court had previously sentenced him in the case, but the High Court later quashed the sentence and ordered a retrial.

The High Court also ruled that new evidence submitted by the prosecution should not be admitted in the lower court proceedings.

The state has appealed to the Supreme Court on the issue of whether the new evidence can be admitted in the retrial.

In addition to overturning Yameen’s conviction, the High Court also quashed the sentence imposed on former Felidhoo MP Yoosuf Naeem, ordering a retrial in his case as well.

Earlier proceedings in the Supreme Court were concluded before the case was reopened following a change in the bench. A further hearing was held, and the matter was later scheduled for continued consideration.

The Supreme Court bench hearing the case consists of judges Aisha Shujune Mohamed, Dr Mohamed Ibrahim and Abdulla Hameed.

The Criminal Court trial has also been adjourned pending the outcome of the Supreme Court decision.

Separately, Yameen is also facing proceedings in the Raa Fuggiri case, while another case is ongoing in the High Court where Yameen is seeking recovery of USD 1 million held in an escrow account made with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).