Yameen's role in Fuhgiri deal differs from other suspects, prosecution tells court

The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has defended its decision to continue prosecuting former President Abdulla Yameen over the leasing of R. Fuhgiri, despite withdrawing or discontinuing proceedings against other individuals and companies implicated in the case.

During a hearing on Monday, the prosecution argued that Yameen's alleged involvement differed from that of the other suspects because he had used his authority as president to facilitate the alleged corruption.

Six parties were initially implicated in the case, although charges were filed against only two individuals and two companies. Following subsequent prosecutorial decisions and court proceedings, Yameen is now the only defendant facing trial.

The PGO previously withdrew bribery facilitation and money laundering charges against Ahmed 'Krik' Riza.

It also decided not to appeal lower court rulings acquitting Sun Construction and Sun Investment of money laundering charges.

Addressing the decision to continue Yameen's prosecution, public prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said the former president's circumstances could not be compared directly with those of the other defendants.

"It would be unjust to treat two people in the same circumstances differently. The reality is that there is no one in this case whose circumstances are the same as President Yameen's," Shafeeu told the court.

In his closing submissions, Shafeeu alleged that the Fuhgiri transaction was part of a corruption scheme intended to obtain bribe payments for Yameen and that the former president had used his official position to facilitate it.

He argued that receiving bribe payments while holding the presidency and using the authority of that office to facilitate corruption distinguished Yameen's alleged conduct from that of other individuals involved.

The prosecutor further alleged that the corruption involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), including the Fuhgiri transaction, had taken place under Yameen's direction.

To support that argument, Shafeeu referred to several decisions made during Yameen's administration.

He said Yameen had appointed Ahmed Adeeb as Tourism Minister and subsequently as Vice President, despite information emerging about alleged corruption within the Tourism Ministry.

Shafeeu also argued that Yameen had arranged for the MMPRC, which was established to undertake destination marketing activities, to handle the leasing of islands and lagoons.

The prosecutor said Yameen had continued to entrust Adeeb with responsibilities relating to the Tourism Ministry even after his appointment as Vice President.

According to Shafeeu, this demonstrated the former president's confidence in Adeeb over financial matters.

Fuhgiri was leased without a competitive bidding process to Dubai-based Classic City Island Holdings for USD 1.55 million, following an earlier decision to lease the island for USD 400,000.

Yameen's defence has cited the increase in the lease price in support of its position.

However, Shafeeu disputed that argument, alleging that the transaction had been structured to generate payments for Yameen and his political party.

The prosecutor claimed that the original arrangement was intended to deposit only USD 400,000 with the state, while directing a substantial portion of the remaining money to Yameen and his party.

He alleged that the company objected to the initial arrangement because acquiring the island at such a low declared price could expose it to legal complications.

According to Shafeeu, the lease price was subsequently increased to approximately USD 1.5 million, although the island could have been leased for around USD 5 million.

He further claimed that the company spent USD 2.6 million to acquire the island, including money allegedly paid to Yameen.

These claims form part of the prosecution's case and have been contested by Yameen's defence.

The Fuhgiri investigation also implicated a Sri Lankan national employed by a Sun company and former Maldivian Democratic Alliance (MDA) deputy leader and former MP Ahmed Mauroof.

However, the PGO previously said charges were not filed against them because there was insufficient evidence to support prosecution.

The prosecution maintained during Monday's hearing that the decisions concerning other suspects did not provide grounds for discontinuing the case against Yameen.

The former president continues to face proceedings over his alleged involvement in the Fuhgiri lease transaction.