PG office must make a swift decision reg. corruption allegations against Mahloof, says Pres.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih declared that the Prosecutor General’s (PG) office must make a decision as soon as possible in relation to the accusations made upon Youth Minister, Ahmed Mahloof in regards to the corruption allegations against him, linked to the Maldives Marketing Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) embezzlement scandal.

While answering a question asked by a reporter at the press conference held on Wednesday, President Solih expressed his concern over Minister Mahloof's case being prolonged. The president believes that the PG office must come to a final decision regarding the matter immediately.

President Solih affirmed that he had received a letter from Minister Mahloof and informed that the letter contained a lot of information in regards to the investigation. The letter stated that the statement of the SoF accountant was not valid and confirmed that they were of Sri Lankan origin.

Minister Mahloof had recently informed the media of an issue that had surfaced in regards to a Sri Lankan citizen making a statement that went against the laws established in both Maldives and Sri Lanka. Mahloof affirmed that along with the relevant authorities of Sri Lanka, the Maldives foreign ministry were also looking into the matter. He then stated that the Maldivian Ambassador to Sri Lanka had also taken part in the investigation via zoom.

The president further stated that the foreign ministry began their investigations as soon as they heard complaints of it and affirmed that if another problem arose, it was best that it was investigated as soon as possible. He also stated that he trusts that the PG office would make a decision after thorough inspection.

Minister Mahloof stated that there was a lot of political influence on this matter since the very beginning and affirmed that he had previously decided to resign when the PG office made a declaration. However, due to the situation worsening, Minister Mahloof is reconsidering his decision. The minister then affirmed that he would officially inform the president of his decision and stated that it was the president and other government officials’ final decision that would determine whether he gets to keep his title or not. 

Mahloof is among many who are to have benefitted in the largest corruption scandal in the country’s history. It is one of the first investigations completed so far, other than the major players involved. The minister has been under suspension since the ACC forwarded the case for prosecution on June 9, until the PG Office reaches a decision on the matter.

The Anti-Corruption Commission released a statement in June, revealing the decision to seek charges against the minister in relation to the graft case, with details of the accusations against him.

Mahloof is to have received USD 33,000 through SoF in August 2014, and the anti-corruption watchdog declared that there is evidence against him. The funds were transferred as a bribe by then Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb, to vote in favor of the then government's SEZ bill.

Mahloof had returned from Malaysia to take part in the SEZ bill vote after the funds were transferred to his account, according to ACC findings.

At that time Mahloof was a lawmaker aligned with then ruling Progressive Party of Maldives, leader of whom was now incarcerated and then-President Abdulla Yameen. He noted that he had merely voted as per a three-line whip issued by the party.

Mahloof is also accused of submitting fake documents to prove his innocence including a payment received receipt.

Mahloof had claimed that the funds were transferred to his account as a currency exchange deal and that he had paid SoF back in Maldivian Rufiyaa. However, ACC said that the document submitted does not prove such a transaction.