Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on the state’s appeal to overturn the High Court’s decision regarding the 11-year prison sentence issued against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Yameen was convicted of bribery and money laundering on 25 December 2022, alongside Yoosuf Naeem, who was also found guilty on similar charges. Both men later appealed the verdict at the Criminal Court, which was set to review the case on 18 April 2024.

However, the High Court ruled that certain evidence presented by the state should be set aside, citing that the lower court had not followed proper procedure under Article 135 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The state has since taken the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court’s order was unlawful.

During the Supreme Court hearing, Public Prosecutor Shafeeu Ahmed stated that the High Court’s decision violated Article 143 of the Constitution, which outlines the jurisdiction of the courts and requires lower courts to follow the rulings of higher courts.

The bench presiding over the case initially included former Supreme Court Judge Dr Mohamed Waheed, Justice Dr Azmiralda Zahir, Justice Aisha Shujoon, and Justice Dr Mohamed Ibrahim. The case is now being presented by Justice Abdulla Hameed, who replaced Justice Azmiralda.

The Supreme Court’s ruling will determine whether the excluded evidence can be reinstated in the case against Yameen and Naeem.