“Whistleblower” Qasim sentenced to prison

Former manager of Bank of Maldives, F. Nilandhoo Branch, Qasim Abdul Kareem who released confidential information regarding a client has been sentenced to 8 months and 12 days in prison.

The confidential information Qasim leaked is linked with the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzlement case – the largest embezzlement case to hit the country in recent history.

He leaked bank account statements which proved how millions in MMPRC’s embezzled money were deposited from SOF’s bank account to personal bank accounts.

Criminal Court ruled this Tuesday that Qasim was found guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two charges against him; leaking confidential information of a bank’s client, and obtaining confidential information regarding a bank’s client.

He was sentenced to 6 months in prison for leaking the confidential information, and 2 months and 12 days in prison for obtaining the confidential information.

Criminal Court ruled that though Qasim professed to have leaked the confidential information with good intentions, he had failed to prove it to court.

Qasim has been in police detention since February 18, which means that he will not have to serve any more time in prison.