High Court of Maldives invalidates the court verdict by Criminal Court of Maldives to freeze the accounts of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The bank accounts of former President Yameen were frozen, as part of an investigation into allegations of financial fraud.
Following the order, accounts opened in Bank of Maldives (BML) and Maldives Islamic Bank (MIB) were frozen. The accounts were frozen in the wake of Maldives Police Service summoning the former president regarding an ongoing investigation.
High Court ordered the criminal court’s verdict invalid citing the court order contradicts judicial and legal regulations. At the hearing, Chief Judge of the High Court noted that the Criminal Court's order violated Article 72 and 73 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Therefore, the judge’s bench presiding the case ordered the criminal court order invalid.
Maldives Police Service revealed close to USD 6.5 million in bank accounts owned by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been frozen as part of the ongoing investigations regarding the cases of financial fraud and illegal transactions that have taken place during the term of his presidency. The former president has said the funds in his bank accounts are valid and expressed dismay the police made public his personal financial details.