Yameen's Defence Submits Closing Statement in Fuggiri Case, Says He Is Innocent

A summary (closing) statement has been submitted on behalf of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom in the state's case accusing him of accepting a bribe in the leasing of R. Fuggiri through the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), and of laundering that money. At a hearing held at the Criminal Court today, the summary statement was submitted to the court by Hamza Latheef, the lawyer representing President Yameen. In the case, the state has said that in connection with the transaction to lease Fuggiri, President Yameen used the influence of his position to obtain USD 1.1 million as a bribe through Ahmed Krik Riza of M. Kurikeelaahiyaa, and that the money was laundered using Sun Construction and Engineering Private Limited and Sun Investment Private Limited. The state has also said that attempts were made to present the transactions carried out between Krik Riza and Sun Investment Company as transactions conducted in the name of dollar trading. However, presenting the defence in the case, President Yameen's lawyer said today that the charges against Krik Riza were withdrawn by the state and that the case was filed in a manner contrary to normal practice and acted upon in a way that raises doubts. He also said that in the Fuggiri case, the state's money laundering charge against Sun Investment and Sun Construction companies is not proven, and that the state's failure to appeal that matter is something that lends weight to proving President Yameen's innocence in the case. The lawyer said that no documents have been shown to the state revealing on what date Fuggiri was designated for tourism purposes, or who was involved, and that the state had not shown any basis for President Yameen's involvement in the matter. The defence also raised the question of whether, if an island had been given to Classic City in violation of the regulations, the state would work to reclaim that island, and whether that had been done. Taking into account the matters highlighted by the defence in the summary statement, the defence has asked the court to rule that he be acquitted of the two charges brought against President Yameen in this case.