Bank of Maldives (BML) has said that they will not give any information to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) or the Maldives Police Service without a court order.

When the ACC was summoned to the parliament committee on independent institutes regarding the MMPRC Scandal, the President of the ACC, Muavviz Rasheed said that BML has informed them via letter that they would not give any information without a court order.

Muavviz said that it is a decision made by the bank and in his opinion, he does not believe the bank can do that based on the laws and regulations in effect. He said that they are working to resolve the situation.

When the police were summoned to the financial committee on Monday, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Riyaz, too, had noted the issue. BML has sent a similar notice to the Maldives Police Service as well. Riyaz said that the opinion of the police on the matter was conveyed to the bank.

In an interview with One Online today, President of the ACC, Muavviz said that the BML notice included references to an order from the High Court in the freezing of the account of former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, however he believes it cannot be done as such.

“We have discussed with the investigative bodies. (We have) discussed with the Attorney General. All believe there is no basis to hold information.” Muavviz said.

He also said that banking regulations order the banks to give information to investigative bodies of the state. And so, if they do not give the information, it would be perceived as an act of obstructing the investigation; and it has been notified to the bank.