The Criminal Court of the Maldives has decided not to withhold former President Abdulla Yameen's passport.
State prosecutors requested a court order to withhold Yameen's passport during the trial over the lease of Fuhgiri, Raa Atoll for resort development through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). Yameen is accused of using his influence as the president by accepting a bribe of USD 1.1 million and laundering the money.
During the hearing, Yameen's attorneys stated that withholding his passports would have no effect, as the two passports in his possession are expired. The prosecutor said the state has not been closely monitoring Yameen and that he still has the opportunity to flee the country after renewing his passport.
Presiding Judge Hassan Shakeel said the state has not provided any evidence to conclude that Yameen is a flight risk and therefore there is no legal reason to withhold his passport. However, the judge said the state prosecutors will be able to receive a court order to withhold his passport if they find evidence that he is attempting to renew his passport and leave the country.
In the Fuhgiri case, former President Yameen is charged with seeking a bribe of USD 1.3 million to lease the island to City Island Holdings Limited, which was facilitated by Ahmed Krik Riza. The state accused Yameen of laundering USD 1.1 million of the bribe through Sun Investment Private Limited and Sun Construction Engineering Private Limited.