The sentencing in the trial of the former President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has been cancelled at the last minute with the suspension of the judge presiding, the Chief Judge of the Criminal Court, Ahmed Hailam.

The former President charged with money laundering was initially set to be sentenced today at 1 p.m. However, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) suspended the presiding judge, the Criminal Court cancelled the sentencing hearing.

Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) has confirmed the cancellation to One Online but they did not comment on when the trail will be resumed.

The trial saw the closing statements on 9 October 2019. Charges were brought up against the former President after an alleged attempt to hide funds by moving USD 1 million to a general investment account at the Islamic Bank after violating an escrow account agreement with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to put the funds the former President received from the SOF Company following the embezzling at the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).