Fuggiri Was Rented at a Lower Price than Initially Offered, Says Witness

Today, a witness testifying in the ongoing case surrounding Fuggiri Island has brought forward evidence suggesting that the island was rented at a lower price than initially offered. 

The case revolves around allegations of bribery and money laundering, with former President Yameen facing charges.

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The testimony was delivered by an employee of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) during a hearing at the Maldives High Commission in Malaysia. The witness recounted that Fuggiri Island, situated in a high-demand area at the time of its rental, was subject to a price change before the signing of the lease agreement. 

However, the exact amount of the reduction was not recalled by the witness.

Former MMPRC Managing Director Abdullah Ziya had previously asserted that the lease price for Fuggiri Island was indeed lowered. Ziya attributed this adjustment to the directives of President Yameen.

The legal proceedings have seen multiple entities implicated in the case, including Sun Construction, Sun Investment, and Crick Riza. It’s noteworthy that charges against Riza were subsequently withdrawn.

Yameen is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence in connection with money laundering charges. Furthermore, a fine amounting to $5 million was imposed upon him by the lower court. 

Notably, an appeal has been filed in the High Court, requesting a stay of execution for the sentence and postponement of the fine payment until the appeal process concludes. The High Court, however, has opted to delay the payment of the imposed fine.