PG: Several incumbent MPs implicated in MMPRC embezzlement case

Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham says the findings in the investigation into the MMPRC embezzlement and money laundering scam implicate several of the current parliamentary representatives.

Bisham was summoned for questioning by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament regarding updates on the work of the Prosecutor General’s Office in connection to the MMPRC case this Monday.

When questioned, Bisham said that several members of the Public Accounts Committee itself had been implicated in the case.

 She said that additional people implicated in the case included current government minsters, members of the judiciary, as well as additional members of the current parliamentary assembly.

She declined to disclose additional information regarding the case, and asked for the Public Accounts Committee members implicated in the case to excuse themselves from the session.

Following Bisham’s request, a member of the Public Accounts Committee presented a motion to close the session, reveal the names of the members implicated in the case, and to continue with the session after removing them from proceedings.

The motion passed, and reporters were summarily asked to leave the conference room in order to hold a closed session.

The investigative report released by Anti-Corruption Commission on the MMPRC case earlier this year showed transfers made by SOF Private Limited – the company accused of laundering the funds embezzled from MMPRC – to several former parliamentary representatives as well as a few current government ministers.

Current government officials who were transferred money by SOF Private Limited include Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof – who received a transfer of USD 33,000 (MVR 508,860) and Minister of State for National Planning and Infrastructure, Akram Kamaaluddin who received a transfer of USD 30,000 (MVR 462,600).

Though initially placed under suspension, both were cleared of wrongdoing and reported back to duty in April.

Meanwhile, members of the 18th parliamentary assembly who were transferred money by SOF Private Limited include former Vilufushi MP Riyaz Rasheed, former Guraidhoo MP Hussain Manik Dhonmanik, and former Hulhu-henveyru MP Reeko Moosa Manik.

Former Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Didi – who was impeached by the Parliament in late August – was also found to have received funds embezzled from MMPRC through former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor.