Prosecution withdraws charges against ex-defence chief Shiyam
Although the case was closed previously, it was reopened in 2020 for prosecution after new issues were identified.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has withdrawn the charge of abuse of official position against former Chief of Defence Force Major General Ahmed Shiyam.
Shiyam had been charged in connection with the use of a Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) facility in Villimalé. The charge related to the residence of Shiyam’s father at the Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) VIP building from July 2017 to December 2018.
The Criminal Court had previously ruled the charges unfounded. The prosecution appealed the decision to the High Court. On Monday, the High Court dismissed the appeal following the prosecution’s decision to withdraw the charges.
The Prosecutor General’s Office cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including the passage of seven years since the alleged incident, the absence of new charges against Shiyam, and the Anti-Corruption Commission’s earlier determination that the case did not constitute corruption.
Although the case was closed previously, it was reopened in 2020 for prosecution after new issues were identified.
According to the initial charges, Shiyam allegedly used his position to allow his father to reside in the MRCC VIP house without legal basis. The investigation also found that an MNDF staff member was assigned to assist Shiyam’s father at the residence.
The prosecution argued that the MRCC facility was not open to the general public and that such use was not permitted under military regulations. It also stated that military personnel cannot be assigned to care for civilians unless it aligns with the defined responsibilities under the Armed Forces Act.
In his defence, Shiyam maintained that the accommodation of family members at military facilities was a long-standing practice within the MNDF, particularly in cases involving emergencies or special circumstances.
Criminal Court Judge Aminath Azlifa previously ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove that Shiyam used his official influence to accommodate his father at the MRCC facility. The ruling stated that:
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No specific written regulation governs who may be accommodated at the MRCC VIP guesthouse.
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MNDF officials, family members, and guests have been accommodated for varying periods.
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There was no clear evidence to indicate that Shiyam’s father had stayed beyond the normal period.
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Assistance provided by an MNDF officer, including delivering medication, was offered voluntarily and not by official directive.
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There was no record of the Ministry of Defence being billed for any food or services provided to Shiyam’s father.
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Testimonies confirmed that expenses were covered personally by Shiyam.
With the charges now withdrawn, the case is officially closed.
