Former President Abdulla Yameen has informed the police that he possesses no further information regarding the matter, despite having stated in a public meeting that police even know how close the person who set fire to the building housing three ministries and a portion of the Malé City Council is to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, and that such information exists at the police service.
At a gathering held by the PNF last Sunday night, Yameen stated that "the police will also know how close the person who set fire" to the ministry building on the morning of December 12, 2024, "is to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu," and that the information is present at the police service.
Consequently, police initiated an investigation into Yameen's remarks under the instruction of Home Minister Ali Ihusaan.
In an earlier press statement regarding the issue, police stated that based on information gathered from the investigation into the fire incident, the event occurred due to an electrical short. Police previously stated that the investigation received no evidence to raise criminal allegations against any individual in the case.
In a statement directed at Yameen today, police said that because the information he made public regarding the fire incident constituted important information for the investigation, police attempted yesterday to serve a chit ordering Yameen to present himself to the police service to clarify the information known to him for the investigation.
According to the statement, around 6:40 PM yesterday, police went to H. Dhoovehi to meet Yameen and attempted to hand over the summons chit. However, the statement noted that he declined to accept the chit.
Police stated that, taking into account what Yameen said when refusing the summons chit, he provided a written response, which noted that Yameen possesses no additional information regarding the case.
Therefore, police appealed to cooperate with investigative authorities rather than spreading unsubstantiated statements.
"Rather than making public unsubstantiated information in a manner that creates a negative perception in citizens' hearts toward institutions working for public safety and security and damages trust in the investigation, the Maldives Police Service takes this opportunity to appeal to all parties to extend full cooperation to the investigation within the framework of the law," the police statement read.
In a letter sent yesterday to Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed by attorney Hamza Khaleel acting on Yameen's behalf, it was stated that Yameen has no knowledge of any information beyond what has been publicly published regarding the fire incident. Referencing Yameen, the lawyer's letter stated that as it is a matter under police investigation, the cause of the incident would also be known to the police.
The letter noted that in a situation where Yameen's side cannot provide information that would lead to further progress in the investigation, even police would not believe that his attendance at the police service is necessary.
Responding on social media to allegations made regarding the fire incident, Home Minister Ali Ihusaan stated that findings from the joint investigation conducted with investigative experts from friendly nations into the fire at the building housing three ministries showed that the incident occurred due to an electrical wire fire.
