Former Maldivian president's 11-year sentence overturned by Supreme Court

By Necva Tastan

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Maldives Supreme Court overturned an 11-year prison sentence Thursday for former President Abdulla Yameen, who was under house arrest for bribery and money laundering charges, according to Sun Online.

The Court, which concluded Yameen's appeal, ruled that a trial by the Criminal Court in 2022 was "outside the bounds of the law.”
Citing procedural irregularities, the Court nullified the prison term and mandated a retrial for Yameen on bribery and money laundering charges by the lower court.

It is the second time a court has overturned a conviction against Yameen.

In 2021, the Supreme Court nullified a five-year sentence for money laundering tied to the sale of GA. Vodamulla -- an island leased during his presidency.

During his presidency from 2013 to 2018, Yameen was sentenced to prison for bribery and money laundering.

In October, upon the request of Muhammed Muizzu, who won the presidential elections at that time, Yameen's prison sentence was commuted to house arrest.