Police reassess Adeeb, SOF cases over MMPRC graft
PG has terminated cooperation agreements with four individuals: Ahmed Adeeb, Mohamed Allam Latheef, Ahmed Isfah Ali, and Mohamed Hussain.
Police has initiated a review of cases connected to former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and SOF company regarding the corruption scandal involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
The scandal involved the misappropriation of funds generated from leasing islands and lagoons for tourism development.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) on Sunday terminated cooperation agreements with four individuals: Ahmed Adeeb, Mohamed Allam Latheef, Ahmed Isfah Ali, and Mohamed Hussain.
The PGO has instructed the police and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to review investigations into these cases and forward their findings.
Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said on Monday that charges were prepared as part of the ongoing effort to align the investigations with the prosecution’s directives. He confirmed that the immunity agreements were revoked, and the cases have been reassigned to officers handling these investigations.
All four individuals are currently abroad.
When questioned about potential extradition through Interpol, the commissioner said any such steps would be determined based on the outcomes of the investigations.
“If there is a case to be investigated after the inquiry, we will continue to proceed under the same rules that apply to everyone without exception,” Shujau said.
The commissioner refrained from providing further details but assured that police actions would comply with prosecutorial instructions.
During the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen, significant funds derived from the lease of islands and lagoons were deposited into the SOF account. These funds were reportedly distributed to various parties and used for multiple purposes. The SOF account was frozen in 2020 and later released.
Adeeb was sentenced to 20 years in prison under a plea agreement. However, he left the Maldives under amnesty granted by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih shortly before the conclusion of Solih’s term.
Similarly, former MMPRC Managing Director Abdulla Ziyath’s 32-year prison sentence was pardoned by Solih. However, Ziyath did not cooperate with authorities, prompting the prosecution to revoke the agreement and reinstate his sentence in August.
Both Adeeb and Ziyath had been serving their sentences under house arrest prior to the plea agreements.
