Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on Wednesday, took a statement from Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof regarding transactions of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC)'s embezzled funds to his personal account.
According to the investigative report released by ACC about the MVR 1.3 billion embezzlement case, private company SOF had transferred an amount of USD 33,000 (MVR 508,850) to Ahmed Mahloof’s account. Mahloof was suspended from the position of Youth Minister due to the ongoing investigation into this case.
Although, Mahloof did not reveal any details about his statement, he urged relevant authorities to conclude his investigation as soon as possible.
In regard to the transactions, Mahloof stated that SOF transferred the dollars to his account after he paid them the equivalent in Maldivian Rufiyaa. He insisted that it was only a dollar exchange transaction.
Mahloof further explained that he took the advice of ACC regarding the case. However, Mahloof only informed ACC about the dollar exchange and sought advice from the corruption watchdog within the month of February, 2019. The transaction took place in 2014.
In addition to Mahloof, State Minister of National Planning and Infrastructure Akram Kamaludeen was also suspended for illegal money transfers from SOF accounts.
Moreover, two companies in which Maldives Water and Sewerage Company’s (MWSC) Chairman Ahmed Mausoom is a shareholder of, received sums of USD 6.1 million (MVR 93.5 million) from SOF accounts. Mausoom is also currently under suspension.
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