Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) on Sunday ruled in favour of Jumhoory Party's leader Qasim Ibrahim, regarding the case of the islands seized from his conglomerate, Villa Group.
The Supreme Court had earlier declared in April that the state had seized the islands of Elaa in Thaa Atoll, Gazeera in Gaafu Dhaalu, Maaneifushi in Raa Atoll, and Bolidhuffaru lagoon and Vaavedhdhi lagoon in Kaafu Atoll, from Villa illegally and ruled in favour Qasim.
Following this ruling by the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Tourism had filed the case at the ACC.
The five islands in question are related to a case filed by Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) at the Civil Court, seeking USD 188 million (MVR 2.9 billion).
After its investigation, ACC declared that no corruption was involved in this case, explaining that the investigation had revealed that the government made settlements agreements for the islands in case the state would have to pay a large amount of compensation to a private entity.
Since the settlement agreement between Villa and the state had said that Villa could not sue the government, the state claims that Villa filing the case against the government was a violation of the settlement agreement. Hence, the agreement was terminated, along with the amended and reinstated lease agreements made for the islands.
The TGST and Bed tax owed by Villa was also set off by the Ministry of Finance and Treasury upon the request of MIRA.
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