High Court on Tuesday dismissed a Criminal Court order on former President Abdulla Yameen to pay a fine of MVR 53 million after finding him guilty of money laundering and bribery in the MMPRC Corruption Case.

The Criminal Court found former 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 alongside a fine of USD 5 million (MVR 76.7 million) for money laundering and bribery.

On February 26th, the court ordered to pay MVR 53 million out of the total amount, within six months.

In his appeal, Yameen’s lawyers stated that the law does not recognize orders or judgments issued after the initial judgment in a case in order to complete or alter the judgment in question. Hence, they seek the High Court to declare the order void.

The High Court judges bench chaired by Judge Mohamed Faisal and accompanied by Judge Hassan Shafeeu and Judge Dheebanaz Fahumy unanimously decided to overturn Criminal Court’s judgment.

The High Court judgment also stated that the order was issued after the initial verdict, adding that such orders can only be made during the time of the initial verdict.