The Maldivian High Court has ruled for the release of the former President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The Criminal Court ruling for President Yameen to remain in detention for the remainder of his trial on charges of corruption have been overturned by the High Court today. The release has been issued by the High Court today without any condition. As such, the High Court rendered this ruling today, stating that there is no just cause to keep the former President under detention.

The Criminal Court had ordered President Yameen’s detention regarding charges of money laundering in the case of corruption at Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). As such, the Criminal Court had declared that President Yameen was being sentenced for the remainder of this trial due to intelligence and evidence submitted by the Prosecutor General’s Office through Maldives Police Service.

The Criminal Court had deemed the detention a necessary step to prevent further influence on witnesses. This intelligence and evidence indicated that President Yameen had attempted to influence witnesses regarding the case of corruption at MMPRC.  

An appeal has been submitted at the High Court on behalf of President Yameen that the Criminal Court ruling was unlawful. The reasoning for the appeal is due to the fact that the case of corruption at MMPRC has not been submitted to the courts. President Yameen has also heavily denied attempting to influence witnesses regarding the case.

A case has also been submitted to High Court, claiming that the detention of President Yameen had taken place in violation of the rules of conduct when carrying out an arrest.

The High Court ruling today stated that,  the intelligence and evidence presented by the Prosecutor General's Office has been taken into account. The court had stated that although the sentence for detention has been rendered by the Criminal Court, such sentences can only be enforced for a maximum period of 30 days. While the 30 day mark expired on 18 March 2019, the High Court declared that it sees no further cause to keep President Yameen in detention. As such, the High Court judge’s bench unanimously ruled on the release of the former President today.

The initial detention of President Yameen had taken place due to an appeal by the Prosecutor General’s office at the Criminal Court, on charges of money laundering at MMPRC. Although the Criminal Court has ordered President Yameen to remain in prison, he was transferred to house arrest conditionally, on 13 March 2019, under medical advice.