Maldives arrests ex-leader Yameen over witness tampering: officials

Maldives authorities on Monday detained former strongman president Abdulla Yameen after he was accused of trying to bribe witnesses in his money laundering trial, officials said. The arrest came after the Criminal Court began a hearing into allegations that Yameen received nearly USD 1.5 million in illicit payments just before he lost an election in September and was forced out of power. "Prosecutors said that Yameen had allegedly attempted to bribe witnesses," a court official said, adding that the former president would be held at the Dhoonidhoo prison island near the capital. If convicted, the 59year-old could face up to 15 years in jail and be fined three times the amount of the fraud involved.