Supreme Court of the Maldives has nullified former President Abdulla Yameen's five-year prison sentence.
The former president was sentenced by the Criminal Court of the Maldives to five years in prison after he was found guilty of laundering USD 1 million received through the lease of Vodamula, Gaafu Alifu Atoll, for tourism development. However, the Supreme Court bench presiding over the appeal case decided unanimously to nullify the Criminal Court's prison sentence on November 30. The bench consists of Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir, Justice Azmiralda Zahir, and Justice Ibrahim Mohamed.
During the verdict hearing, Justice Mahaz said the 22 points of contention provided by the defendant was not enough to determine that the High Court's decision to uphold the Criminal Court's prison sentence was unlawful. However, the justice said that the prosecutors have failed to prove that the funds deposited to Yameen's bank account were meant for the state. He also said the prosecutors had unlawfully used the testimonies of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MPMRC) Abdulla Ziyath.
Additionally, Justice Mahaz said the prosecutors had failed to appeal the lower court's decision to not hear testimonies of senior officials of SOF Private Limited, which shows a lack of regard for the case.
SOF is the company that had acted as the main distributor of the funds embezzled through MMPRC. He said the prosecutors have also failed to confirm that the USD 1 million was the lease of Vodamula and that the origin of the funds has yet to be determined by the state. However, Justice Mahaz said Yameen had used the funds from SOF Private Limited for personal gain in violation of his position as president.
The justice said the state can still investigate the origins of the USD 1 million without violating the rights given to Yameen by Article 60 of the Constitution of the Maldives.
Supporters of former President Yameen have celebrated his release and praised the Supreme Court for upholding his rights.