In Maldives, former president Abdulla Yameen has been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to five years in prison today.

The five judge bench of criminal court unanimously concurred that Yameen is guilty on the charge of laundering state funds for personal gain. He was accused of over 1 million dollars deposit in his bank account by a company that was used to channel resort acquisition fees.

The bench ruled that former President while in office, violated an agreement signed with the anti-corruption commission to hold the money in an escrow account. The court also fined the 60-year-old opposition leader with 5 million US dollars.

Opposition supporters protested near the court carrying placards condemning the trial as politically motivated and accusing the government of hijacking the judiciary.