Police have concluded their investigation into allegations that Thinadoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll was granted city status unlawfully and have referred the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office for a decision on prosecution.

The investigation followed allegations that Thinadoo Council provided inaccurate population figures to government authorities as part of efforts to obtain city status for the island.

Thinadoo Mayor Saud Ali was questioned by police on 10 August in connection with the case. He has denied allegations of manipulating information.

A police media official said the case was sent to the Prosecutor General’s Office last week with a recommendation to prosecute. However, it remains unclear who the recommended charges are against. The Prosecutor General’s Office has not yet commented on the case.

Thinadoo North MP Saudullah Hilmy had also submitted the allegations to Parliament and the Local Government Authority, claiming that the island’s population figures had been manipulated to meet the legal requirement for city status.

Thinadoo was designated as a city on 20 August 2023 during the administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.