Former Hoarafushi MP Mohamed Ismail has stated that former President Abdulla Yameen had asked him to find a merchant for dollar purchase at bank rate.

He made the statement as a defense witness by President Yameen during a hearing for the money laundering and bribery case against him regarding the lease of V. Aarah.

He further added that the call was made in late 2015, however, the exact date was difficult to call back. Upon receiving the call, Mohamed claims to have gotten in touch with his contacts including friends and business owners, among which included Yoosuf Naeem.

He highlighted that he specifically reached out to Yoosuf since they were both childhood friends and he had connections in the hospitality industry. All those he contacted assured him that they would help in procuring the dollars.

He continued, noting that the exact location he was at during the time of these calls was difficult to recall. However, he stated that the then Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid (Shad) was with him during the entire time.

Mohamed added that about two days later, Yoosuf had gotten back to him where he claimed that USD 1 million is available if it was for President Yameen. He had informed the former President of this immediately but remained unclear whether the transaction was done or not until Yoosuf disclosed it to him later on.

He also detailed that the numbers used were hard to recall by memory, though they are saved in his mobile phone. He also stated it was hard to remember whether the calls were placed through an app or directly, though he did give out the number he used back then.

The first line of questioning from the state was whether Yoosuf had disclosed to him any details regarding the transaction, including how Yoosuf came into possession of the dollars and how it was sent to President Yameen.

The defense had objected to the line of questioning, however, the judge overruled it. In his answer, Mohamed noted that Yoosuf had not revealed to him any such information.