Island Aviation Services (IAS)'s Non-Executive Director Abdulla Azim received USD 50,000 from the implicated company SOF Pvt Ltd while he was part of the investigative team assembled by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate the grand corruption case of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), as uncovered by local reports.
Azim is included amongst 155 individuals revealed to have received state funds, in the 779-page investigative report released by the ACC.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's spokesperson Ibrahim Hood stated that Azim was suspended upon the report's release, in line with the government's zero tolerance policy for corruption.
According to local media Mihaaru, Azim was appointed to the IAS board as a state representative.
Azim was offered the opportunity to remove himself from ACC after his involvement was exposed by other members of the investigative body.
Azim rejected the accusations of corruption, claiming that he took part in a legitimate Dollar exchange transaction with SOF.
Moreover, Azim stated that he was unaware that the funds obtained through SOF were part of the money syphoned from MMPRC during the scandal.
Azim noted that he constantly procures Dollars for his business acquaintances and that his money trail can be clearly followed by relevant investigative authorities.
Following the report, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih instructed Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof and State Minister of Planning and Infrastructure Akram Kamaluddin to stay home for the time being, due to their alleged involvement in the graft corruption as well.
Sign In