Government asks MIRA to freeze the accounts of Villa

The government has asked the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) today to freeze the accounts of the famous merchant Qasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group claiming that there is a payment of USD 90.4 million (MVR 1.4 billion) as fines and rent of five islands pending from the company to the government.

Sources told Sun Media tonight that the Tourism Ministry has asked MIRA to freeze the accounts of Villa Group today and suspend the state services to the company.

There are 20 cases at MIRA regarding pending island rent payments to freeze accounts. There are 12 developing resorts and eight active resorts in that phase.

Sources say that the letter from the Tourism Ministry to MIRA says that the accounts of the companies not paying their due payments to the state should be frozen.

MIRA would freeze any account through MMA to reach all the banks in the country. After the accounts are frozen, the trade permits of the companies would be void and the state services to the company would be stopped.

Villa Group of the leader of the Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim has to pay fines and rent for the islands, Th. Elaa, G.Dh. Gazeeraa, R. Maafenfushi, Kaddoo City Hotel and the Hanimadhoo City Hotel after their contract with the Tourism Ministry was terminated by the Ministry.