Criminal Court sentenced 20 years of jail time and 2 million Rufiya in fine as a verdict against 7 charges against Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor. During the last court hearing Adeeb has accepted and pleaded guilty to all the 7 charges against him in connection to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzlement and money laundering scandal.
Although Adeeb has requested leniency in sentencing in light of his cooperation, but, Adeeb failed in his attempt to renegotiate for a lesser sentence.
As per the Criminal Court’s sentence, the penalties for the 7 charges against Adeeb included; 14 years, 9 months and 18 days in prison for accomplice to embezzlement, 2 years, 4 months and 24 days in prison for accomplice to embezzlement, 6 months in prison for Misuse of official capacity to obtain or confer an undue advantage.
Furthermore, 1 month and 15 days in prison for misuse of official capacity to obtain or confer an undue advantage, 3 months in prison for abuse of power, 5 years, 11 months and 21 days in prison and a MVR 1 million fine for Money laundering, along with 5 years, 11 months and 12 days in prison, and a MVR 1 million fine for Money laundering.
Initially the criminal court ruled out the dismissal of the cases against Adeeb, after he told the court that he was forced to sign a plea deal in exchange for medical furlough. The dismissed cases were then appealed by the government at the high court. During the High court hearing, Adeeb said that he will give full support to the court investigations as he believes the embezzled funds should be returned to the state and the people, while some intentionally benefited through the MMPRC corruptions.
Although Adeeb has requested leniency in sentencing in light of his cooperation, but, Adeeb failed in his attempt to renegotiate for a lesser sentence.
As per the Criminal Court’s sentence, the penalties for the 7 charges against Adeeb included; 14 years, 9 months and 18 days in prison for accomplice to embezzlement, 2 years, 4 months and 24 days in prison for accomplice to embezzlement, 6 months in prison for Misuse of official capacity to obtain or confer an undue advantage.
Furthermore, 1 month and 15 days in prison for misuse of official capacity to obtain or confer an undue advantage, 3 months in prison for abuse of power, 5 years, 11 months and 21 days in prison and a MVR 1 million fine for Money laundering, along with 5 years, 11 months and 12 days in prison, and a MVR 1 million fine for Money laundering.
Initially the criminal court ruled out the dismissal of the cases against Adeeb, after he told the court that he was forced to sign a plea deal in exchange for medical furlough. The dismissed cases were then appealed by the government at the high court. During the High court hearing, Adeeb said that he will give full support to the court investigations as he believes the embezzled funds should be returned to the state and the people, while some intentionally benefited through the MMPRC corruptions.
