Jailed Former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen Released, Court Orders Fresh Trial In Bribe Case

Jailed former Maldives President Abdulla Yameen was released by the Maldives high court, which decided to overturn his 11-year prison sentence in relation to a money laundering case. The decision was made by a three-judge bench in the archipelago, which termed Yameen's 2022 trial as unfair and ordered the authorities to lodge a fresh case and restart the criminal proceedings.

Pronouncing the verdict, Judge Hassan Shafeeu said "The lower court ruling was not fair".

The landmark verdict came days ahead of Sunday's parliamentary elections in Maldives, in which, the former President is fielding his candidates. Abdullah Yameen floated a political front from jail while serving the punishment.

According to the reports, the former president accepted a bribe to grant a lease on a small islet for tourism development during his tenure between 2013 and 2018.

Yameen is popular for raising the flag against India and had started the 'India Out' campaign earlier to exploit anti-India sentiments. Yameen's policies are said to be anti-India and he was inclined more towards China. Under his government, the Island nation signed the Belt and Road Initiative and concluded a Free Trade Agreement with Beijing.

Today, the Court also overturned the punishment of Yameen's co-accused Yusuf Naeem, the businessman who reportedly gave a bribe of $1 million.