MMPRC Corruption: Seven charges to be pressed this month

Attorney General Ahmed Usham has stated today that Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) are preparing to press seven different charges in relation to the MMPRC Corruption case to recover the stolen funds.

Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) revealed at the Parliament's Committee on Independent Institutions yesterday that 115 cases related to MMPRC corruption has been investigated, with orders to recover MVR 640 million for the State.

However, they said that no charges have been pressed so far in relation to any of these cases, adding that this is because it remains to be decided whether the cases will be submitted to Civil Court by MMPRC or the Attorney General.

AG Usham informed Mihaaru News today that it has already been advised that the charges must be pressed by MMPRC. He said that MMPRC would submit seven charges to Civil Court within the month.

Details of these charges were not shared.

Usham explained that the charges had not been filed so far as an agreement could not be reached between MMPRC and the AG Office during former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration. He said that although MMPRC had requested the AG Office to press charges, they have now been advised that the State does not have the purview to do so.

He went on to share that the Asset Recovery Commission established during former President Abdulla Yameen's administration had completed investigations into 30 cases concerning corruption at MMPRC, and submitted them to Civil Court for charges to be pressed. However, the Solih administration had withdrawn all but two of these cases, and instructed their own Asset Recovery Commission to repeat the investigations.

One of the two cases that were not withdrawn was won by the State. The other case is currently at the High Court.

The Asset Recovery Commission set up by the past administration was later dissolved, with the cases being handed over to the ACC. The ACC has been handed over 166 cases regarding MMPRC corruption, concerning around MVR 948 million.

ACC Vice President Abdul Salam has voiced concerns about institutions failing to take action despite being ordered to recover funds. He said that the ACC has now decided to take action against those failing to abide by their orders, and said this will be disclosed to the public.