MALÉ, Maldives — The Supreme Court has dealt a significant blow to state prosecutors, upholding the High Court’s decision to permanently exclude critical evidence from the retrial of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom. The ruling sharply narrows the government’s options as it attempts to secure a second conviction in one of the country’s most closely watched corruption cases. The case centres on the lease of Aarah island in Vaavu Atoll, a transaction that previously resulted in Yameen’s conviction for bribery and money laundering involving $1 million. That conviction was overturned on appeal, and a retrial was ordered — but … Continue reading Supreme Court Deals Blow to Prosecutors in Yameen Corruption Retrial