MMA: FIU has not withdrawn any case

Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) says it has not withdrawn any case involving sitting President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom which the Financial Intelligence Unit of MMA has submitted to Maldives Police Service for investigation.

Speaking during a press conference last Tuesday, MMA said it has submitted 137 cases to State investigative authorities, and has withdrawn no letter or case submitted for investigation.

The press conference comes after a letter from FIU to former Commissioner of Police Abdulla Nawaz surfaced, in which the unit asked police for investigation into a USD 1.5 million transfer to Yameen’s personal bank account at Maldives Islamic Bank just ahead of the elections.

MMA’s press conference also comes after Spokesperson at President’s Office, Ibrahim Muaz Ali said the letter was later withdrawn by the FIU.

Al-Jazeera, which broke news of the letter last Monday, reported that the bank questioned Yameen about the transfer, and that Yameen had said the money was campaign contributions from private companies and other sources.