<p>The criminal court of Maldives on Sunday found the country's former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering charges related to receiving kickbacks from a private company.</p>.<p>The court said it expects to announce the sentence soon. Yameen has denied any wrongdoing.</p>.<p>Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined $5 million in 2019 for embezzling $1 million in state funds, which the prosecution said was acquired through the lease of resort development rights.</p>.<p>After his sentencing, Yameen was shifted to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later.</p>.<p>Since his release, Yameen, the half-brother of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has returned to active politics with a campaign against Indian influence in Maldives, raising concerns in New Delhi.</p>.<p>Yameen is the declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023.</p>.<p>Situated close to strategic shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a focal point for competition between India and China over influence in the region.</p>
<p>The criminal court of Maldives on Sunday found the country's former president Abdulla Yameen guilty of corruption and money laundering charges related to receiving kickbacks from a private company.</p>.<p>The court said it expects to announce the sentence soon. Yameen has denied any wrongdoing.</p>.<p>Yameen, who lost power in 2018, was sentenced to five years in jail and fined $5 million in 2019 for embezzling $1 million in state funds, which the prosecution said was acquired through the lease of resort development rights.</p>.<p>After his sentencing, Yameen was shifted to house arrest in 2020 but was freed months later.</p>.<p>Since his release, Yameen, the half-brother of former dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, has returned to active politics with a campaign against Indian influence in Maldives, raising concerns in New Delhi.</p>.<p>Yameen is the declared presidential candidate for the Progressive Party of the Maldives for an election due in 2023.</p>.<p>Situated close to strategic shipping lanes in the Indian Ocean, Maldives is a focal point for competition between India and China over influence in the region.</p>