The Criminal Court has found former President Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering charges related to the sale of resort development acquisition and leasing rights to Vaau Atoll Aarah, and sentenced him to 11 years in jail.

In addition to this, the court fined the former president with USD 5 million, and ordered him to pay it to Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) within the next six months.

The charges alleged that the acquisition rights for the island were given away below market rates while the second charge relates to the consequent transfer of illicitly gained funds and laundering.

For the charge of corruption, a jail sentence of four years was given while a seven-year jail sentence was given for the money laundering charge.

After finding him guilty of both charges, the court had provided both the defense and the prosecution to talk on a possible sentence. The state had then proposed a jail term of eight years for the charge of corruption and 11 years for the charge of money laundering on former President Abdulla Yameen, totaling up to 19 years.

Criminal Court Chief Judge Ahmed Shakeel presided over the case.