Maldives ex-VP Ahmed Adeeb sentenced to 20 years for corruption

A court in the Maldives has sentenced former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to 20 years in prison for corruption charges related to leasing tropical islands for hotel development. The 38-year-old, who pleaded guilty last month under a plea bargain, was also fined $129,892 on Monday. The Maldives Criminal Court charged Adeeb with embezzlement, money laundering and misuse of government authority among other offences, according to an order of Judge Hassan Saeed. According to an asset recovery commission formed by the current government, the islands in the popular holiday destination were sold below-market prices. As a result, the government lost nearly $259m. In his statement to the court, Adeeb said he was ready to cooperate to recover the missing money. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">