PG withdraws charges against Riza in MMPRC case

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has withdrawn the charges against Ahmed Riza in connection with the alleged fraud involving the lease of R. Fuggiri through the MMPRC corruption scandal during President Abdulla Yameen’s administration.

On 12 July 2023, the prosecution temporarily removed Riza’s involvement pending analysis of an audio recording allegedly containing conversations between Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riaz and Crick Riza outside the investigation.

Former President Abdulla Yameen’s lawyer, Hamza Latheef, requested the court to clarify the status of Riza.

Responding to the defence counsel’s inquiry, Prosecutor Ahmed Shafiu stated that the police had been tasked with analysing the audio. However, in August last year, it was determined that the prosecution could not analyse the audio as intended.

Following this, Riza filed a motion to withdraw the case after the Prosecutor General’s Office opened it for public review of previous decisions in October. The prosecutor reviewed the case and made the decision accordingly.

“Riza’s side pointed out the delay in the case. We have now withdrawn the charges against Riza,” said Senior Public Prosecutor Shafiu.

Riza had been charged with money laundering and acting as an intermediary in the acceptance of bribes.

Separately, the trials concerning Sun Construction and Engineering and Sun Investment will proceed independently.

The release of Riza’s audio recording was requested by Yameen as part of his defence evidence. However, Judge Ali Nadeem ruled that the request could not be granted.

The Criminal Court is currently hearing the case, which relates to the MMPRC corruption matter.

The ongoing charges are as follows: