Cases against President, Speaker, Defence Minister lodged at ACC

The opposition coalition, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC), on Tuesday lodged cases against President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed and Minister of Defence Mariya Ahmed Didi at the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).

The graft watchdog confirmed that the cases were lodged at the commission.

During a press conference held by PPM, Lawyer Mohamed Shaheed accused President Solih of exploiting state funds for his personal trips, claiming that utilising the presidential speedboat for such transfers constitutes as illegal as well as an act of corruption.

Stating that Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) provide security for the president's private launch, Shaheed highlighted that the issue concerned President Solih spending state funds on campaigns for Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and its members.

He noted that the same complaints were lodged at ACC in the past as well.

Regarding the campaign trips prior to the parliamentary elections, the president's spokesperson Ibrahim Hood had formerly asserted that no state assets, resources or funds were spent on any of these trips.

The complaint lodged against Nasheed concerns the use of state resources for his recent trips to Huvadhoo Atoll and Addu Atoll. PPM accused the Parliament Speaker of utilizing the parliament's staff, camera and other equipment, in addition to its media for his campaigns.

"It was a personal trip, however, it was tweeted as an official visit through the parliament's Twitter account", Shaheed stated, adding that the matter was submitted to ACC since Nasheed's actions violated the Anti Corruption Act.

The opposition filed a complaint against Defence Minister Mariya for attending a meeting with a Minister of Interior of United Arab Emirates (UAE) with her son. Mariya declared that the visit was not official and all expenditures were borne by her.

However, PPM claims that a statement released by UAE's Interior Ministry revealed that Mariya's trip to UAE was an official visit since the statement highlighted a meeting with the Maldivian Defence Minister.

According to PPM, having any individual, family or otherwise, present at such a meeting where official discussions are held, is a breach of national security.

"The President's Office's website lists the policy of meeting politicians, [Mariya] went against the policy as well", Shaheed accused.

Shaheed further noted that there were other allegations against ministers from President Solih's administration, in addition to the aforementioned cases. He added that these allegations will also be submitted to ACC.