The opposition coalition has requested a meeting with Chief Judge of the High Court of the Maldives Shujau Usman to share their concerns regarding the appeal case of former President Abdulla Yameen.
The opposition coalition, which consists of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC), sent a letter to Chief Judge Shujau Usman expressing concern over the delay in proceedings of the appeal case submitted against the 5-year prison sentence of former President Abdulla Yameen. The opposition claimed the sentence was a politically motivated sentence, adding every day the former president spends behind bars is a day in which he is deprived of the fundamental right of justice ensured to every citizen under the Constitution of the Maldives.
Noting the last hearing of the appeal case was held on February 24, the opposition expressed concern over the fact that no hearing has been held for over 4 months. In the letter, the opposition stated the extended delay of the appeal case of the former president affects public confidence in the judiciary. Therefore, the opposition requested for a meeting with the chief judge to clarify the progress of the appeal case and to share the concerns over the case.
Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison after he was found guilty of the money laundering charges pressed by the state as part of the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).