Charges against ex-defense chief Shiyam withdrawn after seven years

The state has withdrawn the charges of misuse of official capacity against former defense chief Ahmed Shiyam after appealing his acquittal to the High Court.

Shiyam was charged with misuse of official capacity after alleging he accommodated his father at a VIP residence located at the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Maritime Rescue Coordination Center located in K. Villingili, who received services from soldiers during his stay.

Criminal Court acquitted Shiyam of the charge last year, prompting the state to appeal the case with the High Court.

However, the state has withdrawn the charges on June 20^th, as the cases proceeded at the apex court.

According to the report published by High Court after dismissing the case, the prosecution withdrew the charges as it does not believe there is any interest in proceeding with the case seven years on, while there are no further cases against Shiyam with the Office.

The charge against Shiyam came after Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) found Shiyam accommodated his father at the VIP residence for a period of one year, four months and 24 days between 2017 to 2018, and arranged for a private officer of the MNDF to serve as a caretaker.

ACC had previously filed the case, concluding that it did not involve corruption. The case was reopened at the instructions of then-Prosecutor General.