SC concludes hearings on new evidence in Yameen's case; judgment next

Supreme Court has concluded hearings in the appeal filed over the rejection of new evidence produced by the state against former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom in the Aarah money laundering case.

Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison on December 25, 2022, on charges of bribery and money laundering in connection to the sale of V. Aarah. The High Court overturned the conviction on April 18, citing major legal irregularities.

But instead of a full exoneration, the court overturned the two convictions and ordered a retrial in the case.

Yameen is accused of accepting a bribe from former Felidhoo MP Yoosuf Naeem for the sale of Aarah. During the original trial, Yameen During the original trial, the lower court accepted the admission of new witnesses by the prosecution to counter the testimony of the defense witnesses who testified claiming the transaction pertained to a USD exchange.

The High Court, in its April 2024 ruling, instructed the lower court to disregard the new state witnesses. The prosecution filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, citing the High Court’s decision contradicted the top court’s previous rulings.

Supreme Court held a hearing in the case on Monday during which both the prosecution and the defense delivered their closing remarks.

In his closing remarks, State Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu stated that the prosecution had to submit new evidence during the lower court trial to disprove arguments by the defense that the transaction pertained to USD exchange. On behalf of the prosecution, he appealed to Surpeme Court to allow both parties to debate on the evidence and let the lower court decide again on whether to accept the evidence or not.

Meanwhile, the defense reiterated its position that the new evidence should not be accepted.

While concluding Monday's hearing, Justice Aisha Shujoon, who chairs the bench overseeing the case, confirmed that the justices had additional matters to clarify. She stated that the next hearing would be scheduled to deliver the judgment in the case.

Notably, the lower court trial in the case remains halted due to the Supreme Court proceedings. The lower court will resume the trial once the top court delivers its ruling regarding the new evidence.