‘MMPRC transactions made as Yameen ordered’

The imprisoned, former Managing Director of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), Abdulla Ziyath, has said that the trade transactions at MMPRC were made as ordered by then President, Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Ziyath, who is currently serving time for his involvement in the MMPRC corruption scandal, issued a statement statement issued through wife today stating that President Yameen was fully aware of the trades at MMPRC. And that the President was updated on the trades as ordered to him and the Vice President, Ahmed Adheeb.

The statement released today said that “every lease agreement was finalized by (the) President, Abdulla Yameen.”

Ziyath alleged that he was arrested for refusing to issue a statement against the Vice President, Adheeb, as ordered by the President after being summoned to the President’s Office.

He said that he was forced to give statements in jail but later refuted them during the court process and stated that he did not give any MMPRC funds or cheques to Adheeb.

The former Managing Director of MMPRC said that he intends to fully cooperate with the commission formed to investigate corruption.

Ziyath made allegations against the Bank of Maldives saying that that funds some funds were put into certain accounts against regulations, via the influence of some powerful people.

BML has since refused the allegations stating that they are always working within the law.

President Yameen said that when a cheque involved with MMPRC is being processed, the MMA has to observe whether SOF is a private company or a government company. And should know that government cheqeus should go to the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority.  

The former President said that if a criminal investigation is taken place, the responsibilities should fall on the banks and the MMA.  

Ziyath said that he had remained silent in these three long years in jail since it could be dangerous to speak out. But trusts the current government to get him justice.