High Court accepts appeal of Yameen’s 11-year prison sentence

High Court, on Tuesday, has accepted opposition leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s appeal of his 11-year prison sentence after being convicted of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for tourist development.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison and fined USD 5 million on December 25, 2022, after he was found guilty of money laundering and bribery in connection to the sale of V. Aarah for resort development.

His lawyers appealed Criminal Court’s judgment in the case to High Court on February 21^st. The appeal petition was resubmitted after amendments requested by the High Court on March 15^th.

High Court registered the case on Tuesday at a time they have been accused by the opposition PPM-PNC coalition of deliberate delays.

Another appeal lodged by Yameen is presently underway at the High Court which pertains to an order by the Criminal Court to pay USD 3.4 million of the USD 5 million fine to the state within six months.