Maldives Police Service has revealed that former President Abdulla Yameen had utilised MMPRC finances for personal benefits. It was further reported by MPS that it was an investigation into corruption at Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) has led to this finding.

Maldives Police revealed this information in a statement released today. The statement reported that USD 1 million had been transferred to President Yameen’s account at MIB by SOF Pvt. Ltd over multiple occasions and that they had been found to belong to the State. The statement by MPS revealed that while President Yameen had been asked to return the funds to the State by Police, he has not done so. MPS also noted that President Yameen had further transferred the funds into multiple accounts at MIB under his name and utilized funds to acquire financial benefits.

The statement reported that there had been various illegal financial dealings concerning islands and lagoons leased MMPRC during President Yameen’s administration. The statement further claimed that the case has been filed as per charges raises against various government institutions concerning corruption at MMPRC. As such, MPS informed that there is a substantial sum of finances owed to State that had been earned through the lease of the lagoons and islands. The statement by Maldives Police further reiterated that those who had illegally obtained the finances had laundered and transferred a huge sum to President Yameen’s account at Maldives Islamic Bank.

The statement by MPS declared that, as per the case submitted by various authorities, charges against President Yameen have been presented to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Maldives Police have also been raised charges against the former Minister of Legal Affairs at the President’s Office, Uz. Azima Shukoor. The statement released by MPS reported that charges submitted to the Prosecutor General against Shukoor include assisting President Yameen and partaking in the money laundering efforts. MPS also revealed that charges have been raised against the former Minister of Legal Affairs regarding false testimony when presented with an interrogation concerning the MMPRC case.