President says Waheed asked to resign over links to Epstein
Some emails attributed to Waheed circulated on social media, prompting calls for his resignation.
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President Mohamed Muizzu said on Monday that former president Mohamed Waheed was asked to resign from his role as a special envoy after information emerged linking him to Jeffrey Epstein.
Waheed resigned as a presidential adviser on 3 February following public criticism over his past interactions with Epstein.
Speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, President Muizzu was asked why no further action had been taken against Waheed.
“When I became aware of the matter, I asked Waheed to resign, and he resigned,” the President said.
The issue arose after the United States Department of Justice released documents containing emails linked to Epstein. Some emails attributed to Waheed circulated on social media, prompting calls for his resignation.
The emails include references to proposed tourism projects. In one email, Waheed referred to the Innahera project and said he wanted to discuss it with Epstein. Other emails included references to the Fuggiri and Innahera projects, suggesting development concepts and potential involvement of foreign business figures. One email also mentioned an offer from a Singapore-based business for the Innahera project and suggested visiting the Maldives to explore alternatives.
Additional correspondence included references to a book project about Waheed’s period in office, with a request for assistance in finding a publisher in the United States.
A statement issued by Waheed’s office on the day of his resignation said he met Epstein on two occasions, both described as official meetings.
According to the statement, the first meeting took place on 23 September 2012 at a dinner attended by government officials. The second meeting occurred on 18 May 2014, when Waheed met Epstein alongside his son, Jeffrey Salem Waheed, for discussions described as economic in nature.
Waheed’s office said he was advised by an individual in New York to seek Epstein’s views during a period when the Maldives required foreign economic engagement. The statement said Waheed did not have any financial dealings with Epstein.
The statement further said Waheed was not aware of the criminal charges brought against Epstein in 2008, adding that had he known, he would not have continued contact after the first meeting.
