Singapore has confiscated the passport of prominent Maldivian businessman Ahmed Siyam (Sun Siyam).

Sources within the leadership of MDA did not deny the development when questioned about it by One Online. They said the company will issue a statement regarding it. Maldives Immigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not respond to requests for comment.

However, One Online has learned that Singapore had confiscated Siyam's passport due to the ongoing case with Hilton.

The case pertains to the cancellation of the February 27, 2009 agreement between Hilton International Management (Maldives) Private Limited and Sun Travels and Tours Private Limited to operate the Irufushi Beach and Spa Resort. The Civil Court ordered Sun Travels and Tours Private Limited to pay US$ 24 million to Hilton International Management (Maldives) Private Limited over the termination.

After Sun Travels terminated the deal on April 30, 2013, Hilton went to the International Chamber of Commerce's (ICC) International Court of Arbitration against Sun Travels. On July 18, 2013, the ICC Court of Arbitration designated Singapore as the venue (seat of arbitration) for the arbitration meeting.

After examining the case, the Singapore arbitration issued the "Partial Award" on May 27, 2015 and the "Final Award" on August 17, 2015. Under the final award, Travels was ordered to pay Hilton US$ 20,945,000. It also directed the government to pay the fine and additional expenses.

On December 17, 2015, Hilton filed a civil suit seeking implementation of the arbitration verdict. The civil court examined the case and concluded that Hilton had filed the case with the wrong division of the court.

Following the verdict, Hilton filed a fresh civil suit on November 6, 2016. This time, after examining the matter, the Civil Court ruled that the arbitral execution could be carried out only as per the High Court's order on the award.

When Hilton challenged the Civil Court's decision in the High Court, the High Court took cognizance of the matter and ruled that the Civil Court could deal with cases relating to the implementation of arbitral under the "arbitration law".

Therefore, Hilton approached the Civil Court for the third time seeking the execution of the arbitration verdict. In its verdict on May 5, the court ruled that in view of article 74 of the 'Arbitration Act' in view of the ICC's decision, there is no reason to prohibit the acceptance of arbitral awards in the Maldives, and that Sun Travels shall pay Hilton their dues within 14 days along with the penalty and additional expenses.

Defending the charge, Sun Travels pointed out that the awards could not be accepted and implemented by the arbitrator in the Maldives, and that the tribunal had not examined the fraud made by Hilton in the case. "

The awards in the case are against the public policy of the state," it said. The Civil Court, however, ruled that none of this could be accepted.

The matter has now been filed in the High Court.