Epstein files prompts Dr Waheed's resignation

Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan stepped down as Special Envoy after revelations of his links to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted serial child sex trafficker, surfaced in the Epstein Files. 

"Special Envoy to the President and former President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan has tendered his resignation today. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received Dr Waheed's letter of resignation earlier this morning," the President's Office website states. 

Waheed's resignation followed public pressure after disclosures of his links to Epstein, spanning his time as Vice President, President, and later. Multiple emails reveal Waheed shared confidential state matters and requested financial support and guidance, despite Epstein's earlier conviction for sex trafficking. 

As seen in the files publicized by US authorities last Friday, Waheed and Epstein maintained the ties between 2012 and 2015. This falls after Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex trafficking, for which he served prison time. 

While Waheed had sent numerous emails regarding the Maldivian political scene to Epstein, one which stands out was sent in 2013 in which Waheed claims that India had exerted influence on the presidential election.

"The election has turned out to be much more difficult than previously predicted. India is influencing the election, and they helped Nasheed steal the first round," Waheed stated in the email.

In one of the emails, Waheed stated that he would 'deliver a good lesson' to former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom in the election. Waheed wrote that Maumoon will have to retire and stay away from politics. 

Additionally, the emails include statements from 2018 suggesting that former President Abdulla Yameen would not win the election and that it was unlikely former President Nasheed would be released from prison, although he believed Nasheed should receive a fair trial.

The emails also reveal that Waheed attempted to work with Epstein to develop a Maldivian island as a private island and prepared and shared a feasibility report for the prospect. 

Disclosed email communications show that Waheed maintained a close relationship with Epstein, treating him as a close associate from whom he sought guidance on major issues.

According to the communications, the significant matters on which Waheed sought Epstein's advice included Maldivian financial affairs and the 2013 presidential election campaign strategy.

Previously disclosed emails show that Waheed met directly with Epstein during his trip to New York in 2012 to address the UN General Assembly.

Following that, the first matter on which he sought Epstein's advice was a four-billion-dollar proposal submitted by then-Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad, which could have caused a major shock to the Maldivian economy.

Epstein, a wealthy financier who had close ties with powerful political figures and celebrities from the U.S. and various other countries, was arrested in 2005 for sexually abusing hundreds of children and blackmail. After being released later, he was arrested again in 2019. Following his confession to the charges against him, he was found dead in prison on August 10 of that year, about a month after being jailed.

Subsequently, his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested for aiding Epstein's crimes, found guilty, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.