Special conference on corruption and abuse of power: former President Mohamed Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has announced plans to hold a special conference to discuss corruption, abuse of power, and strategies to tackle these issues.

The date, venue, agenda, and registration details of the conference will be announced next week, Nasheed's office said in a statement. The announcement comes amid a wave of high-profile corruption cases recently exposed and prosecuted.

Nasheed’s office stated that former Governor of the Central Bank and Finance Minister Ali Hashim, along with former Economic Minister Mahmood Razee, will attend the conference to share their insights and support the initiative.

“This is the beginning of a sustained, long-term movement against corruption through public participation and legal advocacy,” the statement from Nasheed's office read.

The conference will bring together legal experts, civil society leaders, journalists, and international observers to examine and analyze cases of systematic corruption, undue influence, and abuse of power by individuals in various government positions.

There will be in-depth discussions and investigations into corruption within state institutions and among politicians, with a focus on thoroughly documenting the findings.

“The conference will also facilitate international and domestic assistance and action to change that practice,” the statement added.

Speaking on the purpose of the event, Nasheed emphasized that corruption is not just the theft of money, but also the robbery of opportunity, reputation, dignity, and justice.

“This conference is part of a broader effort to restore the integrity and credibility of the country’s institutions and hold accountable those who have lost the confidence of the public,” he said.

The anti-corruption conference, initiated by Nasheed, will also include testimonies from whistleblowers and victims of corruption. It will involve reviewing relevant documents and engaging in strategic discussions on legal reform, transparent procedures, and ways to access international support.

The announcement comes as the Criminal Court yesterday sentenced the former Managing Director of Fenaka Corporation, Ahmed Saeed, to four years in prison for abusing his position to obtain illegal benefits.

In a separate case, former Managing Director of Maldive Gas and ally of former President Abdulla Yameen, Abdullah Maumoon, was sentenced to 12 years in prison on two counts of bribery.

The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that two of the seven bribery charges filed against Maumoon, relating to incidents in 2016 during the PPM government, have been proven in court. The court has not yet set a date for sentencing on the remaining five charges.

Ahmed Saeed is also facing further charges, which are currently under investigation.