The Maldives is emerging from a particularly difficult period in its history, which has fundamentally affected its political and legal systems. The troubles stem from October 2016, when the Commonwealth of former British territories queried the country's record on democracy and threatened it with suspension. Under then-president Abdulla Yameen, the Maldives withdrew from the Commonwealth, citing unfair treatment.
Subsequently, criminal allegations against Mr Yameen culminated in his surprise defeat in the 2018 election, losing to the Maldivian Democratic Party. In November 2019, he was jailed for five years for money laundering, and found guilty of pocketing a $1m payment destined for the state.
