The Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Off9ce) has indicted the former Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr. Ahmed Ziyad.

The former Islamic Minister is being charged in connection with the irregularities in the agreement between the Ministry and SG Construction company with the possibility of corruption in the development of Dharul Zikura mosque.

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed with the PG Office to pursue the indictment on 17 September 2020.

PG Office today said that during Dr. Ziyad’s time as the Islamic Minister, an agreement was made outside law in a way that causes loss to the government to build a ten-story building on the land of Zikura mosque after the proposal from the SG Construction and due to the signing of the said agreement, MVR 30 million was paid as equity to SG Construction.

The PG Office said that due to this, a profit was made to the construction company without any gain to the state.

And so, the former Islamic Minister has been charged with abuse of official authority.

The same charge has been brought up against the then Head of the Endorsement Section of the Islamic Ministry, Ibrahim Abdulla Saeed as well for approving the proposal from SG Construction against the recommendation of the technical report on the proposal, with also lacked the mandatory information.

The PG Office further said that the documents of the case also show that SG Construction were in possession of information that had not been released by the Ministry hence the ACC has advised to consult with the Maldives Police Service to see if there is grounds for a criminal investigation.

ACC has also advised to follow up with the police on possible grounds for a criminal investigation against W&S Overseas PTE and their management staff who were involved in the process.