Maldives' first appellate court is set to hear the appeal of two separate prison sentences handed to former vice president Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor over the blast aboard the presidential speedboat and the embezzlement of millions in state funds.
In June, Adheeb was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years in prison over the boat blast, now confirmed as an attempt to kill his former boss, president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
President Yameen escaped unhurt but his spouse Fathimath Ibrahim and a presidential aide was injured in the blast.
Adheeb was later convicted and sentenced to eight years for misappropriating acquisition fees paid by a foreign company for the 50-year lease of a lagoon in the capital atoll.
Maldives Media and PR Corporation (MMPRC) had mediated the leasing of over 59 different tourist hotels, resorts and yacht marinas out of which 53 had been leased through an agreement with the tourism ministry.
More than USD79 million received by MMPRC was distributed through a private company with links to the then VP.
Adheeb had appealed both the verdicts nearly five months ago but the court after accepting both the appeals is yet to schedule a hearing.
Adheeb meanwhile is facing multiple counts of terrorism and graft charges including a second assassination plot involving a Sri Lankan sniper.
