Former Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his involvement in the major corruption scandal at MMPRC during his tenure.

The state brought up 32 charges against Ziyath including embezzling of 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.

Criminal Court has been delivering the sentence to each charge separately since this morning. So far, the sentence totals over 11 years and 11 months on 12 charges. It is believed that the remaining charges would not carry a sentence against Ziyath as 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.