Yameen says MMPRC graft cases against him have ‘collapsed’

Former President Abdulla Yameen has claimed that the two MMPRC-linked criminal cases currently pending against him have “collapsed” and should be withdrawn by the state.

Speaking at a People’s National Front (PNF) gathering on Saturday night, Yameen addressed the cases concerning the leases of R. Fuggiri and V. Aarah through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).

Yameen faces bribery and money laundering charges in connection with both transactions. He denies the allegations.

In the Fuggiri case, Yameen said testimony from the prosecution’s three witnesses had supported his position and argued that the state no longer had a case against him.

“Looking at the elements and circumstances of the case, this is now a case that the state should withdraw. This case has now collapsed,” Yameen said.

Proceedings in the Fuggiri case have been under way at the Criminal Court for several years. The case now continues only against Yameen after the Criminal Court acquitted two companies linked to Sun Siyam of the charges, while the state withdrew the case against Ahmed “Krik” Riza.

Yameen’s lawyer, former Vice President Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, also argued at the PNF gathering that Yameen could not be convicted in the Fuggiri case because the other defendants had not been found guilty.

Yameen also addressed the Aarah case, in which the Criminal Court previously convicted him of bribery and money laundering and sentenced him to 11 years in prison.

The High Court overturned the conviction in April 2024 and ordered the Criminal Court to conduct a retrial. The High Court also ruled that new evidence submitted by the prosecution should not be admitted during the retrial.

The state challenged the decision concerning the additional evidence at the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court subsequently upheld the High Court’s decision, meaning the retrial must proceed without the disputed evidence.

Yameen said the Aarah case had also reached a point where the state should withdraw it. He claimed prosecutors had sought to alter earlier testimony that supported his defence and argued that the case no longer warranted further investigation or prosecution.

Yameen said his legal team had previously asked the Prosecutor General’s Office to review the case with a view to withdrawing it, but the request was rejected.

The former president also responded to comments by senior officials of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) suggesting that he could return to prison.

Yameen alleged that the remarks were intended to intimidate him because the government feared his participation in the 2028 presidential election.

He challenged President Mohamed Muizzu to contest against him rather than seek to have him imprisoned.

Yameen’s remarks come as the Criminal Court prepares to resume hearings in both cases after lengthy delays.