The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has decided to refer GDh. Thinadhoo Mayor Saud Ali and three city councillors to the Prosecutor General’s Office for prosecution over the allocation of land to a private company.

The ACC said the decision was made after finding that land was allocated to the company without opening it for bidding, in violation of regulations governing the allocation of land for non-residential purposes. The mayor had signed the agreement to allocate the land, while three additional plots were also allocated to the same company.

The three councillors referred for prosecution are Aminath Naseema, Ahmeema Ahmed and Aishath Liusha Zubair.

The ACC said the councillors supported the allocation during a council meeting, enabling the company to obtain an unlawful benefit.

The commission has decided to seek charges against all four individuals for abuse of official authority.

Saud is already facing two other charges in a separate case concerning allegations that Thinadhoo was designated as a city in violation of the law. The charges relate to knowingly providing a false document and providing false information to a public authority.