The Criminal Court has concluded the trial of former President Abdulla Yameen regarding the lease of Raa Fuggiri and scheduled the verdict for October 29.
The hearing to deliver the judgment is set to take place at 11:00 am on that day.
The trial proceedings concluded following the submission of closing statements during hearings held on Monday and Tuesday. While the prosecution presented its closing arguments on Monday, the defence delivered its final statement during Tuesday's session.
In the closing statement, Yameen’s legal counsel, Hamza Latheef, asserted that the state had failed to produce any substantial evidence linking Yameen to the Fuggiri case. He further noted that although six individuals were accused in the matter, all others have been cleared, leaving Yameen as the sole individual currently facing trial.
Hamza further highlighted that the $1.1 million was deposited into Yameen’s account nine months after the island was leased to Classic City Island Holdings for $1.5 million.
The defence counsel argued that there must be concrete evidence to link a transaction that occurred so long after the initial deal. He maintained that the transaction bore all the hallmarks of a standard currency exchange.
Furthermore, the defence pointed out that the state had not appealed the acquittal of the Sun companies involved in the case. They also contended that the charges against Ahmed Krik Riza were withdrawn and that the case was filed under unusual circumstances.
Additionally, Yameen’s lawyer noted contradictions in the testimonies provided by Ahmed Adeeb and Abdulla Ziyath, further alleging that their statements were obtained in violation of legal procedures.
The defence has requested the court to find Yameen not guilty of the two charges against him. The prosecution has asked for a conviction, maintaining that the MMPRC corruption was carried out under Yameen’s direct instructions.
