Former Maldives president Yameen to appeal 11-year jail term

Abdulla Yameen, who lost power in 2018, will remain the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)'s presidential candidate for the 2023 election

Former Maldives president Abdulla Yameen will appeal as soon as possible against his conviction and jailing for 11 years on corruption and money laundering charges, said his lawyer.

Mr. Yameen, the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate for the next election due in 2023, was sent to a prison on Maafushi island on Sunday to start his sentence following the order from the Maldives criminal court.

Mr. Yameen, 63, has denied any wrongdoing and will serve his time in a special compound in the prison which has been previously used to jail other high profile politicians.

Former Maldives vice president Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, who is leading Mr. Yameen's legal team, said they will appeal against the criminal court's verdict without delay.

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A day after the verdict and sentencing, the court has now issued the trial and case reports to Mr. Yameen's legal team, an official said on Monday afternoon.

Mr. Jameel had said earlier that the defence was not provided the full written judgement.