No one questioned over alleged financial coup yet: Police

No persons have been questioned in the case of an alleged financial coup attempted via Bank of Maldives (BML), said Maldives Police Service today.

The case concerns BML's decision last month to announce that it was suspending foreign transactions via credit and debit cards issued by the bank. With the government alleging this was an attempted financial coup with political actors behind the incident.

In a press conference today, Chief Superintendent of Police Hassan Shifau said that they are currently gathering information required for investigation in the case and that they will see whether sufficient evidence is gathered to press criminal charges.

"So far we have not questioned or interrogated anyone," Shifau said.

In an earlier statement issued, Police said that some politicians held a press conference coinciding with BML's shocking decision which defied the government's instructions, and that bot accounts were used urging the public to set to the streets to overthrow the government. As such, a police investigation was initiated deeming that it was an attempted coup, the agency said at the time.

When BML announced its decision to suspend all foreign transactions via its credit and debit cards connected to Maldivian Rufiyaa accounts, the government said it was against their advice. The decision sparked severe public outrage, which, paired with meetings between the bank and the government, resulted in the decision being reversed within a few hours.

While key government officials claimed various accusations against the bank, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu also publicly claimed that the incident was a political coup attempt, and said those responsible would be held accountable.

Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed said that connecting all the dots from the events that day lead to the conclusion that some individuals deliberately tried to disrupt the financial system of the country.

Following this, BML's CEO Karl Stumka left the country and rendered his resignation. However, he will remain in office until next Saturday.