ACC requests State prosecute Ziyath, seize property bought with embezzled money

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has requested Prosecutor General’s Office to charge former Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Abdulla Ziyath over a property in Hulhumale’ after investigation proves it was acquired using money embezzled from MMPRC.

The property in Hulhumale’, registered to a member of Ziyath’s family, was acquired for MVR 5 million. ACC claims its investigation proves the property is owned by Ziyath.

ACC concluded its investigation into the MMPRC embezzlement scandal and released its report this Tuesday, in which it claims USD 400,000 paid in acquisition fee to MMPRC for lease of A. A. Mathiveri Finolhu had been transferred to a bank account opened in the name of a cousin of Ziyath’s.

The money was then taken out and transferred to a bank account opened in the name of the person who sold the piece of property from Hulhumale’ to Ziyath.

ACC said its investigation proved the money embezzled from MMPRC had been used to acquire the property registered to Ziyath’s relative.

The commission asked that PG Office charge Ziyath with abusing the authority of his position and facilitating unlawful profit to a person who does not have any claim to it.

ACC also asked that PG Office prosecute Ziyath to seize the property and take it under ownership of the State.

Ziyath is already serving an eight-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of embezzling USD 1 million from MMPRC.