Following the request made by the legal team of the former President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, to delay the sentencing in the money laundering trial against the former President, the Criminal Court has decided to proceed with the sentencing hearing set for 1:30 p.m. today.

After the sentencing hearing was set for today, the former President’s legal team made a request to delay the sentencing.

The legal team said that the request was made since there are procedural issues with the trial that needs to be addresses. They have also filed suit at the Supreme Court to address their concerns regarding the trial.

The former Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, from President Yameen’s legal team, said that a suit was filed at the Supreme Court because the bench presiding on the trial at the Criminal Court is now set up outside the Courts Act.

Dr. Jameel said that the bench presiding on the trial has to be formed by a forum of judges according to the Courts Act however, the bench presiding on President Yameen’s case was formed by the Acting Chief Judge, Ali Rasheed and has made himself part of the bench.