Jailed former president of the Maldives, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom will be questioned by the police on Sunday, his legal team has said.
The police are investigating transactions related to the leasing of two islands by Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). President Yameen was previously questioned regarding the same case.
Yameen's lead counsel and former Vice President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed said the police informed Yameen's legal team that he would be questioned regarding the investigation on Sunday. However, the questioning will take place in Maafushi where President Yameen is currently serving a five-year sentence at Maafushi Prison, said Jameel.
While the police will be questioning the former president on Sunday, arrangements have not been facilitated for Yameen's legal team to travel to Maafushi, noted Jameel. The issue is a major concern, he added.
Jameel had previously stated that the police are not independent in carrying out their investigations on President Yameen, and described the police institution as being under the influence of main-ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP).
Former President Yameen is currently serving a five-year sentence after being found guilty of money laundering in relation to the MMPRC corruption case. While the Criminal court's conviction was upheld by the High Court, the case will soon be appealed at the Supreme Court. Two other cases related to the MMPRC scandal and involving President Yameen are being tried at the Criminal Court.
