Maldives court releases former president Abdulla Yameen from jail, mandates new trial | Global News

The high court in Maldives has made a groundbreaking decision to overturn former president Abdulla Yameen’s conviction and 11-year prison sentence on graft and money laundering charges. This ruling paves the way for his release from jail and has sparked widespread discussion and debate across the archipelago nation.

During a live broadcast, judge Hassan Shafeeu declared that Yameen’s trial in 2022 was unfair, leading to the decision to restart the criminal proceedings in the lower court. Yameen was initially convicted in December 2022 for corruption and money laundering related to kickbacks from a private company during his tenure as president from 2013 to 2018.

The timing of this verdict is crucial as it comes just before the upcoming parliamentary elections, where Yameen is fielding candidates from a political party he formed while serving his sentence. His Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) was part of the opposition coalition that launched the ‘India Out’ campaign, straining relations with India and aligning more closely with China.

Yameen’s rule was characterized by authoritarian tactics, including imprisoning or exiling potential rivals and distancing the Maldives from traditional allies in favor of Chinese investment. However, his ousting in the 2018 elections seemed to mark the end of his political career until this recent court decision.

The overturning of Yameen’s conviction has reignited political tensions and raised questions about the future direction of Maldives’ governance. As the country prepares for fresh trials and potential political shifts, the impact of this ruling will undoubtedly be felt far and wide.