Verdict in R. Fuggiri Corruption Case Against Former President Yameen Set for the 29th

The Criminal Court has scheduled the verdict in the R. Fuggiri corruption case against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom for the 29th of this month at 11:00. Judge Ali Nadheem, who is presiding over the case at the Criminal Court, announced the date today as hearings in the case concluded. Today's session was held for the summary statements, or closing arguments, of the case. Presenting the defence for former President Yameen, his lawyers argued that there is no basis for the charges against him. The defence also raised questions over the credibility of the testimony of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former MMPRC Managing Director Abdulla Ziyath, who have been presented as witnesses in the case. The state has charged former President Yameen in the Fuggiri corruption case with money laundering and bribery. Yameen's defence maintains that the money at the centre of the case is funds obtained through dollar trading. The state, however, contends that the money received by President Yameen was obtained by abusing his official position as President of the Republic and by exerting undue influence. The state further stated that the corruption carried out through MMPRC was undertaken on his instructions. While the defence says the money deposited into former President Yameen's account was from dollar trading, the state has raised the question of where the equivalent amount in Maldivian rufiyaa is. The state requested the court not to accept the dollar trading defence submitted by former President Yameen.