MP for Milandhoo constituency, Ali Riza has been charged with human trafficking in connection to the case of forced labour at Baa Atoll Bodufinolhu being developed as a tourist resort.

Media Official of the Prosecutor General's Office, Ahmed Shafeeu said that MP Riza has been charged under Article 17-C in reference to Article 12-A subsection 2, 17-A and 17-B of the Anti Human Trafficking Act.

MP Riza is also facing one count of obstruction of justice under Article 530-B in reference to 530-A of the Penal Code.

The obstruction charge came after he obstructed the search of the offices of RIX Private Limited by the Maldives Police Service under the court order.

Other people charged with human trafficking in the same case is Hassan Umar (Noonu Atoll Maafaru) and Nasrulla Usman (Shaviyani Atoll Milandhoo).

If found guilty of that charge, both would face a prison sentence of seven years.

The state has accused that a large number of people were brought in illegally to work at Bodufinolhu. And the company is accused of finding trafficked individual in the islands and moving them from one island to another for forced labour in harsh conditions. The company is also accused of threatening those who raised their voices for payment.