Sajid says his dismissal was unlawful

Ismail Sajid, the former head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), has stated that his removal from the post following substantiated allegations of sexual harassment was not carried out through legal means.

Sajid was appointed as the head of the FIU in August last year but was suspended in December due to the harassment allegations.

The committee established by the MMA to investigate sexual harassment cases determined that the allegations against Sajid were proven. Consequently, the decision to dismiss him as head of FIU was implemented last Thursday. However, MMA has not yet officially disclosed any information regarding the matter.

In a Facebook post today, Sajid claimed that the committee decided the allegations were proven despite him submitting evidence that demonstrated the complainant had told explicit lies. He alleged that although he provided sufficient documented evidence to prove his claim, the committee concluded the case without considering that evidence at all.

"The case presents circumstances that would make any reasonable person question the motive behind the filing of the complaint. In this regard, I believe one of the foundations for this victimization today is the fact that I took necessary action against an employee of the Financial Intelligence Unit for doing things they should not have done as an employee," his post read.

Noting that 39 days had passed between the date of the alleged incidents and the day the complaint was filed, Sajid stated that the events occurring during that period are evident from the institution's documentation and other evidence. He further mentioned that while media reports suggest an MMA employee provided information before he himself received any details of the case, he has not provided any information to the media until now.

He alleged that this indicates either a lack of robust procedures to protect the information of the investigating committee and MMA employees, or an attempt to assassinate his character and influence the case.

"If there was someone who found it difficult or faced obstacles because I was the head of the Financial Intelligence Unit, this could have been done gracefully if I had been told directly to resign. There was absolutely no need to assassinate someone’s character," Sajid said.

Due to these various reasons, he stated that anyone who examines the details of the case would know that the action taken against him was not within legal bounds. Sajid has previously served as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

FIU is the unit within the MMA responsible for monitoring financial transactions under the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act, and the power to appoint and dismiss its head lies with the Governor.

Previously, Abdulla Ashraf, who held the position of FIU head, was also removed last year and transferred to another department within the MMA, a move the authority then described as an effort to strengthen operations.