On Tuesday, former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen was released from house arrest following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn his money laundering and embezzlement conviction.
In 2019, Yameen was convicted and awarded a sentence of five years, along with a $5 million fine, after an investigation concluded that he had embezzled $1 million in state funds. It was claimed that he acquired funds for the tourism department by leasing resort development rights and subsequently laundered the proceeds. After he was convicted, his sentence was shifted from a jail term to house arrest owing to health concerns caused by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yameen then sought acquittal and redressal in two lower courts before later approaching the Supreme Court.
While declaring the order, the three-member bench said the original case lacked sufficient evidence to convict Yameen and was tainted with discrepancies. They thus determined that it cannot be conclusively proven that the $1 million had been used for personal gain.
Following the announcement of his acquittal, a large gathering of his Progressive Party’s supporters gathered outside his residence in Male.
Yameen served as president of the island nation from 2013 to 2018. He played a monumental role in the ousting of Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives’ first democratically elected leader. Yameen’s administration was criticised for jailing opposition leaders, with several, including Nasheed, forced into exile. He was also accused of silencing the media and dissent during his term.
Maldives’ historically pro-India stance also withered under Yameen, who sought closer ties with China and signed agreements that have left the country with over $2 billion in debt owed to the East Asian giant.
However, in an unexpected turn of events, Yameen was defeated by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in 2018, allowing dissidents and opponents to return to the island nation. Under Solih, the Maldives has also reset ties with India and developed close strategic and military relations.
Yameen’s release could have significant political consequences for the country, both domestically and for its foreign policy. Yameen will now be able to participate in political activities and even contest the 2023 presidential election. Amid a growing #IndiaOut movement in the country, this could yield potentially drastic changes in the country’s regional approach.