The sentencing hearing in the charges against Abdulla Ziyath in connection to major corruption scandal at the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) during his tenure as the Managing Director during the Yameen Presidency, has been cancelled.

The Media Official of the Criminal Court told One Online that the hearing was cancelled since the hearing could not be broadcasted live due to a technical issue.

The hearing was initially set for 10:30 a.m. at the Criminal Court this morning with Ziyath facing 32 charges which he has pleaded guilty to.

Charges against the former Managing Director of MMPRC include embezzling MVR 1.2 billion that was to go to the state from leasing islands and lagoons. The total amount stolen by Ziyath, according to the charges against him, accumulates to USD 50.7 million (MVR 781 million).

Ziyath pleaded guilty to the charges as part of his plea deal with the government.

The prosecution has requested that Ziyath receive 11 years in prison as part of the plea deal under the Penal Code’s reduction of sentence by two levels based on his cooperation to the investigation.