Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has transferred jailed former President Abdulla Yameen to house arrest temporarily.
MCS stated the former president was transferred from Maafushi Prison to house arrest due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 in Maafushi. Yameen was brought to his house in Male’ on April 29.
The former president was transferred to house arrest soon after his spouse, former First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim sent a letter to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih requesting him to be brought home for the month of Ramadan. President Solih had earlier stated in a press conference that he was discussing with the relevant authorities on providing some leeway for the former president.
Former President Yameen was sentenced to five years in prison in November 2019, after the Criminal Court of the Maldives found him guilty of laundering USD 1 million embezzled from the state in the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). He is also currently under trial for another case of money laundering and accepting USD 1.1 million in bribes for the lease of Fuhgiri, Raa Atoll, for resort development through MMPRC.