PG Office denies claims of discrimination in Mahloof's corruption case

The Prosecutor General’s (PG) Office has denied allegations of discrimination in relation to the corruption accusations against Youth Minister Ahmed Mahloof.

Noting that Office looks into the evidence provided by investigative bodies when prosecuting, Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said they also have to ensure if the evidence provided was obtained through lawful means.

Shafeeu said that the same is being done in Mahloof's case, stressing that the PG Office does not discriminate one citizen to the other.

Further highlighting that some cases take longer to prosecute due to additional work required, Shafeeu said that this is what is happening in Mahloof's case but emphasized that this does not mean there is any discrimination.

While Mahloof also accused PG Hussain Shameem of being aware that the accusations against him are political, the public prosecutor refuted this as well, saying "it must be the accused's own belief".

He also gave assurance that the PG Office will never act unlawfully.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is seeking criminal charges against sports and youth minister in relation to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal. While Mahloof is among the many people who are to have benefitted in the largest corruption scandal in the country’s history, ACC has completed its investigation into Mahloof’s case and forwarded the case for prosecution in June. He was suspended until a PG Office reaches a decision on the matter.

Mahloof, who previously said he will resign if charges were raised, recently threatened that the government "will be exposed" if his case goes to trial.

ACC said that there is evidence to believe that the USD 33,000 transferred to Mahloof’s account through SoF –the company used to funnel funds from the state- in August 2014 was a bribe by then Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb, to vote in favour of the government’s SEZ bill. ACC said that Mahloof had returned from Malaysia to take part in the SEZ bill vote after the funds were transferred to his account.

ACC said that after cross-checking the dates and exchanges between Mahloof and Adeeb following the vote, that the investigation shows that Adeeb had given the USD 33,000 to Mahloof as a bribe.

Mahloof, who at the time of the transaction was a lawmaker aligned with then ruling Progressive Party of Maldives led by then President Abdulla Yameen, said that he had merely voted as per a three-line whip issued by the party.

The minister denies the accusations, and claimed that he is "being made a sacrificial lamb".