State enters plea deal in MVR 1.8 million scam case, court ordered MVR 113,000 fine

The state has entered a plea deal with an individual who is accused of using funds received maliciously in the case of MVR 1.8 million which was sent by a minor from their grandfather's bank account, landing the accused individual a fine of MVR 113,000.

Hassan Nahid, who is originally from Haa Alifu atoll Molhadhoo, was charged with unauthorised possession of another party's property on February 16 in the case where a minor sent out MVR 1.8 million from their grandfather's account to Nahid and his then wife over multiple transactions. According to the charges, although the funds were transferred to Nahid and his wife's account, the funds were only used by him.

Although MVR 1.8 million was sent to Nahid, authorities were able to recover MVR 1.6 million from the sum.

He pleaded guilty to the charges under a plea agreement with the Prosecutor General's Office which determined that if he pleaded guilty, the prosecution would agree to a fine.

The Criminal Court acknowledged this plea deal and handed him a fine of MVR 115,400 instead of the usual one year, seven months and six day prison sentence. However, the court factored his eight days in remand, and adjusted the fine to MVR 113,800, ordering him to pay the entire sum within 18 months.