Gedhoruveriyaa scheme case politically motivated: MDP

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned the recent charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) against key officials involved in the Gedhoruveriyaa housing project, calling it a politically motivated move by the current administration.

ACC has sent forwarded a case against former State Minister Akram Kamaluddin and three others for prosecution for allegedly providing undue benefits during the allocation of 4,000 flats under the previous MDP-led government of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The charges also name former senior executives Mohamed Areef, Shiruaam Waheed, and Ahmed Vishan Naseem, who remains Director General of the Housing Ministry.

In a statement, MDP said the accusations are baseless and part of an ongoing campaign to delay the flat handover process. It claimed the government is misusing the investigation to politically manipulate the housing schemes and influence elections.

The party accused President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s administration of directing the ACC’s actions and disregarding legal procedures.

“The MDP sees this investigation as a political one from the start,” the statement read.

MDP also highlighted that the final list of recipients was released just before the end of Solih’s term. While ACC’s review found many ineligible individuals, the current government chose to proceed with the same list amid public concern over further delays. However, the party said this prolonged withholding of housing proves political misuse of state agencies.

The statement further noted that Akram Kamaluddin’s passport has now been seized and expressed concerns over the independence of the judiciary, citing the recent removal of Supreme Court judges. MDP said these actions show that fair trials are no longer guaranteed in the country.