Broadcom IT officer dismissed over intentional server damage

Maldives Broadcasting Commission (Broadcom) has dismissed its IT officer, Ahmed Fazeel, following a police investigation that concluded he had deliberately damaged the commission’s servers.

Fazeel was initially suspended for seven days from 22 May. He told Mihaaru News at the time that he had not been informed of the reason for his suspension.

However, the suspension came a day after Broadcom experienced a server malfunction that required assistance from police technical teams.

Broadcom President Sofa Shafeeq speaking to Mihaaru News today said that the commission had conducted an internal review and requested a formal investigation by the police. The findings, shared with Broadcom on 23 June, indicated that the damage was intentional.

“They [the police] informed us that their investigation found the act to be deliberate, based on evidence,” Sofa said.

As a result, Broadcom terminated Fazeel’s employment without notice, under Employment Act that allow for immediate dismissal when an employee's continued service poses a risk to the employer or the workplace.