Ex-pres Yameen taken to Maafushi Prison

Former President Abdulla Yameen Abdulla Gayoom has been taken to Maafushi Prison on Sunday to serve his 11-year jail sentence.

The Criminal Court earlier in the day sentenced the opposition leader to 11 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering and bribery.

The sentencing was made at around 1800 hrs, and he was taken to Maafushi Prison via a vessel of Maldives Correctional Services at around 1940 hrs.

Yameen was charged with money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development during his administration.

He was accused of abusing his position and taking a USD 1 million bribe to facilitate the sale of Aarah to Yoosuf Naeem, a former parliamentary representative for Felidhoo constituency, and laundering the money.

The state has also charged Naeem with giving the bribe.

Both defendants were ruled guilty of the charges against them during a hearing this afternoon.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison for both charges against him. He was also slapped with a USD 5 million fine, which he needs to settle with  Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within a period of six months.

Meanwhile, Yoosuf Naeem was sentenced to three years, two months and 12 days in prison.

Criminal Court, on Sunday afternoon, found Yameen guilty on both charges.

The sentencing in Yameen’s case came after a recess in the hearing, which extended for hours.