Maldives Former President Found Guilty of Corruption

The criminal court of Maldives found the country's former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering charges.

Meanwhile, the court expects to announce the sentence soon, whereas Yameen has denied any wrongdoing.

The criminal charges are related to receiving kickbacks from a private company

Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined $5 million in 2019 for embezzling $1 million in state funds.

At that time, the prosecution the money was acquired through the lease of resort development rights.

Following his sentencing, Yameen was transferred to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later.

Since his release, the former president has returned to active politics with a campaign against Indian influence in the Maldives, raising concerns in New Delhi.

Yameen is the declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023.