Former President of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom, has requested the Finance Ministry to issue presidential benefits for the period he was jailed.
As per the Former Presidents Protection and Benefits Act, any former president who served a term in office will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 50,000, while any former president who served two terms in office will receive a monthly allowance of MVR 75,000. In addition, they will also receive allowances to cover their accommodation and administrative expenses, and medical purposes.
President Yameen received allowances and security until he was incarcerated on a money laundering conviction in November 2019. He was stripped of the benefits as Article 10 of the Act states that the state must withdraw benefits for former presidents and their spouses if convicted and jailed for a criminal offense committed during his presidency.
However, the Supreme Court overturned the money laundering conviction against Yameen last week. Due to the development, he has now been declared as not guilty of any criminal offenses and is entitled to state benefits.
Communications Director at the Finance Ministry, Lamaan Waheed, spoke to AVAS on Sunday and said the former president's legal team sent a letter to the ministry last Thursday, seeking the unpaid allowance for the duration of his detention. However, he said a decision had not been made on the matter thus far.
President Yameen was in detention for 24 months. He is seeking a monthly payment of MVR 100,000 to receive a total sum of MVR 2,400,000. The monthly sum covers his general benefit of MVR 50,000 and living allowance of MVR 50,000.
