Criminal Court sentenced Tuesday the top bank official responsible for leaking documents related to the largest corruption scandal in the history of the archipelago to eight months and 12 days in jail.
Gasim Abdul Kareem, a former assistant manager at the Bank of Maldives’ Faafu Atoll Nilandhoo Branch was arrested in February for unlawfully disclosing private information. He had released a BML bank statement revealing how funds received by Maldives Media and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) via the leasing of over 59 different tourist hotels, resorts and yacht marinas, were embezzled and distributed through a private company.
Subsequently, BML had filed the case over the statement at Maldives Police Service.
The Criminal Court’s verdict was on account of the two counts against Gasim being proven despite Transparency Maldives’ efforts and Transparency International’s call on the government earlier to dismiss the case. The court trials had proceeded behind closed doors on the prosecutors’ request.
As Gasim was detained in police custody from February to July which account for part of his sentence, he will not spend the entirety of eight months and 12 days in jail. However, it is unclear whether his period of house arrest from July to present date will be slashed from his sentence.
Meanwhile, Gasim has been nominated for the international Anti-Corruption Award for blowing the lid off MMPRC’s corruption. The award winners are to be announced next month.
While a staggering amount of MVR 1.22 billion has been embezzled via MMPRC, former vice president Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor, former managing director of MMPRC Abdulla Ziyath and local businessman Hamid Ismail have received jail sentences over the corruption. The investigation into the case is still ongoing.
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