Transparency condemns pres pardon for Adeeb, Ziyath
President Solih came to power in 2018 with a promise to investigate the fraud and recover the lost money.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
Transparency Maldives on Monday condemned the presidential pardon of former Vice President and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb and former MMPRC Managing Director Abdullah Ziyath.
The President's pardon of Adeeb and Ziyath freed the leading participants in one of Maldives' biggest corruption scandals within just eight years of their sentencing. The reason for such a decision is unknown, just four days before the end of President Solih's five-year rule. The President's Office could not be reached for comment.
Transparency Maldives said in a statement that such a move with only four days left before the change of government is not only an abuse of the president's power to pardon criminals. This reflects the widespread protection given to politicians who abuse their power, the association said.
Transparency Maldives said in the statement:
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President Solih came to power in 2018 with a promise of zero tolerance to corruption
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The past five years have seen an increase in corruption and those accused of it have been protected
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There are 281 people accused in the MMPRC scam, including political leaders, senior government officials, judges and MPs. Only three people have been charged so far
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The Asset Recovery Commission's report has not been released yet
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No effort is being made to recover the money lost in this scam
Adeeb was sentenced to 20 years in jail under a plea bargain agreement with the state. Under such a deal, Ziyath was sentenced to 32 years in prison.
Despite the verdicts, the government has placed the two men under house arrest. The two spent most of President Solih's term at home.
As part of the MMPRC corruption scandal, which took place during former President Abdulla Yameen's government, more than MVR 3.2 billion from the lease of islands and lagoons were siphoned off from the state, transferred to private accounts, and used to buy political influence and enrich those involved.
President Solih came to power in 2018 with a promise to investigate the scandal and recover the stolen funds. By the end of his five years in office, the state has not recovered a single Rufiyaa.
Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison in connection with the scandal. After President Solih's defeat in the election, Yameen, who has been in jail for the past two years, was placed under house arrest on October 1. The verdict is pending appeal in the High Court.
