ICOM orders disclosure of President’s Estonia trip expenses

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICOM) on Wednesday ordered Mohamed Muizzu to disclose detailed information on expenditure and receipts relating to his week-long official visit to Estonia last year.

The visit, which took place in January 2025, was stated by the President’s Office at the time to have cost MVR 1.3 million. However, no breakdown of the expenditure was provided for nearly a year, prompting a request for information under the Access to Information Act by Dhauru.

The information requested included the cost of air tickets, accommodation and meals, other related expenses, and supporting receipts. In June 2025, after extending the deadline for disclosure, the President’s Office responded only with the total figure of MVR 1.3 million, without providing itemised details or receipts.

A hearing on the matter was held on Wednesday. Information Commissioner Ahid Rasheed stated that although a response had been submitted after the deadline, it did not include the information requested. He noted that the reply merely repeated the total cost already known and did not address the specific expenditure categories or provide documentation.

ICOM ruled that the President’s Office must release the requested details, including itemised costs for tickets, accommodation, meals and other expenses. Receipts must also be disclosed, with any personal information removed where necessary.

Ahid instructed the President’s Office to provide the information within five working days after government offices reopen on Sunday following the New Year holiday. The deadline for compliance falls on Thursday next week.

In a previous case, the government had sought a ruling from the Supreme Court to block the release of receipts relating to an official trip to New York. That case was later withdrawn, and the information was subsequently made public.