State Minister acquitted of misusing his official capacity

Criminal Court has acquitted Minister of State for Tourism Ahmed Solih of misusing his official capacity.

Solih was charged by the state in connection with the MMPRC scandal. While it was informed that the head leases of some of the islands are not to be changed Solih had sent letters to some individuals stating that an investigation was not underway into these islands.

The Criminal Court ruled that the evidence presented by the state did not provide enough evidence to prove the guilt without a reasonable doubt as stated in Article 51 of the Constitution.

Witnesses presented by the state also testified that even in the letters sent by Solih, there was no mention of changing the leases of the islands. Witnesses said that the decision of the Presidential Commission was later overturned even though then Tourism Minister Ali Waheed had initially asked for a halt to the lease transfer of the islands.