Thinadhoo population fraud referred to PGO for prosecution

Maldives Police Service has concluded its investigation into allegations that GDh. Thinadhoo was granted city status in violation of legal requirements and has referred the case to the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) on whether criminal charges should be pursued.

The investigation, which began in late 2023, focuses on allegations that the Thinadhoo Council submitted falsified population figures to relevant state authorities in order to secure city status for the island.

As part of the investigation, Thinadhoo City Mayor Saud Ali was summoned to the local police station for questioning on August 10th. Mayor Saud has consistently denied the allegations of submitting false information.

A police media official confirmed to Sun on Thursday that the case was forwarded to the PG Office last week, seeking criminal charges. However, the official did not disclose the individuals against which charges have been recommended or the specific offences for which prosecution was sought. Attempts to obtain a comment from the PG Office were unsuccessful, as its media official did not respond to inquiries.

The validity of Thinadhoo’s city status was previously challenged in 2024 by North Thinadhoo MP Saudulla Hilmy, who raised the matter with both the Parliament and the Local Government Authority (LGA). MP Saudhulla alleged that the island’s reported population of 10,150 had been misrepresented.

The MP further alleged that the discrepancy was deliberately created to enable elected councilors to assume mayoral positions and fulfill a campaign pledge made by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Former President Solih officially declared Thinadhoo a city on August 30, 2023, during the presidential election campaign – a decision which the current administration decided against reversing.