Mash’ar group chief charged with financial offences
Separately, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has stated that 19 companies violated regulations related to Umrah travel last year.
The Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday charged Ali Fareesh, the head of Mash’ar Hajj and Umrah Group, with six counts of tax evasion and one count of money laundering, alleging that he extorted over MVR 500,000 from individuals last year.
According to prosecutors, the tax evasion charges are based on:
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Mash’ar Group, registered under Ali Fareesh’s name, collecting payments from individuals for Umrah trips despite not having permission to facilitate such travel last year.
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Separate lawsuits filed on behalf of six individuals who paid significant sums to travel for Umrah in groups.
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Allegations that Ali Fareesh misappropriated MVR 391,072 and USD 8,100 (MVR 124,740). The lawsuits seek to recover the amount as compensation.
The money laundering charge is based on:
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Deposits made into Ali Fareesh’s personal accounts, as well as accounts linked to Tria Pvt Ltd and Hafton Maldives.
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USD 8,100 (MVR 124,740) of the MVR 391,072 being deposited into these accounts.
Separately, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs has stated that 19 companies violated regulations related to Umrah travel last year. Each company will be fined MVR 5,000.
Under existing regulations, organisations that breach the rules may face fines ranging from MVR 1,000 to MVR 1 million. The ministry also has the authority to temporarily suspend or revoke permits.
