The court has acquitted Sun Investment and Sun Construction of money laundering charges connected to former President Abdulla Yameen.
The Criminal Court acquitted two companies of Ahmed Siyam (Sun Siyam), who formed a coalition with President Mohamed Muizzu in the presidential election, during a hearing held "secretively."
The verdict was handed down on September 17. However, the court schedule did not include the hearing for the day. The court has not yet publicised the verdict.
Two sources have confirmed to Adhadhu that the court found the companies not guilty of the criminal charges.
The state charged Sun Construction and Sun Investment because they were an intermediary in providing USD 1.7 million to Yameen. Prosecutors said the two companies committed several offenses of money laundering in the transaction.
The lower court acquitted the two companies. However, the reason for the acquittal is unknown because the court has not publicised the verdict. It is also unclear which judge presided over the case.
While the Criminal Court did not schedule a case involving public interest, the Criminal Procedure Act requires that “every criminal case shall be tried, fairly, impartially and transparently”.
Meanwhile, Adhadhu understands that Muizzu took two loans from Siyam during the presidential election in 2023.
Muizzu previously took money from the tourism tycoon. He took MVR 1 million when he was the Housing Minister in 2015. When the matter surfaced during the presidential election, Muizzu claimed that it was a gift from Siyam.
