Former President Abdulla Yameen’s legal team lodged a new case with the Supreme Court on Tuesday, adding to the series of ongoing legal battles revolving around his eligibility to run in the forthcoming presidential elections.
As of now, no details regarding the nature of the case are available, as his lawyers could not be reached for comment. It is not yet clear whether the Supreme Court has accepted the case.
In a recent setback, the Supreme Court on Sunday refused to accept a case filed by Yameen’s legal team seeking the court’s intervention to expedite an appeal at the High Court, the outcome of which will be crucial to determining his eligibility to contest the upcoming presidential elections.
The appeal is aimed at overturning the 11-year jail sentence that Yameen is currently serving for bribery and money laundering convictions that stemmed from the leasing of Aarah Island, Vaavu Atoll. Winning the appeal would be paramount to Yameen’s participation in the election.
Yameen’s legal team had argued the delays in the High Court appeal process infringed upon fundamental rights, including electoral rights, and had sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to expedite the proceedings. With the approaching deadline for filing candidacy for the election, resolving the legal hurdles has become increasingly urgent for the former president.
The ongoing delay in the High Court appeal has given rise to suspicions among both Yameen’s supporters and opponents. Some have alleged potential government interference to prevent Yameen from participating in the elections. However, the government firmly denies these accusations, maintaining that it does not interfere in the judiciary’s affairs.
In addition to the High Court appeal, Yameen is currently facing trial on charges of bribery and money laundering related to the lease of Fuggiri Island, Raa Atoll, for resort development in 2015.