Audio leak of Abdul Raheem surfaces, asking for funds from ex-VP Adeeb

An audio between Fonadhoo Constituency MP Abdul Raheem Abdullah and former Vice President and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb had surfaced. In the leaked audio, Abdul Raheem is heard requesting funds from Adeeb, to convert two families to their side, during the Parliament elections of 2014.

The one minute 30-second clip is a recording of a phone call between the two.

At the start of the audio, the two are discussing on the possibility of Adeeb appearing in a motorcycle rally, to which Adeeb had replied that those at the frontline must be more visible.

After which, the duo talked about the Constituency. Adeeb questioned if an individual by the name of ‘Masood’ had ‘set up camp there’.

In response, Abdul Raheem said that ‘Masood’ was there and had ‘brought color and other materials’. He also said that they were ‘distributing small contributions’ to individuals and working.

Adeeb had questioned whether it would be possible to ‘decimate the entire thing’. Abdul Raheem affirmed this, but said he would need to remain in location for about two days.

‘Not now, will go tonight. When I get there, I’ll arrange for the main rally, about two days,’ he said.

The Parliamentarian said that there were two strong families that need to be converted to their side, stressing on the importance of doing this. He then requested for funds from Adeeb.

The audio leak came after President Abdullah Yameen had called on Parliamentarians who had been funded by his former Deputy, to resign from their seats.

In the ceremony held on Monday to open the “Rumaalu-2” campaign office, President Yameen said he and a number of Parliamentarians had been beneficiaries of the funds supplied by Adeeb. The President had called on those Parliamentarians to resign and get re-elected on their own merit.

‘We have to see which Parliamentarians were supported by these funds. Cash did not enter Dhoovehi [President Yameen’s residence]. It was spent on those individuals we felt that must be elected into Parliament. Ahmed Adeeb spent on them. So, the cash that entered my home was not halal, without a doubt. If the MPs can accept this, then they must resign,’ he said.

President Yameen said Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) had invested on Parliamentarians during the elections, with Adeeb as the biggest contributor.

‘Certainly, there are several Members who were elected with Adeeb’s funds. If they wish to save Maldives from corruption, then they should step back, get re-elected on their merit. Our Party spent a lot on electing Parliamentarians. Adeeb was the biggest contributor. So we have to reconsider if the funds spent by Ahmed Adeeb from day one was illegal,’ the President said.

MP Abdul Raheem had not answered the repeated calls or text messages from RaajjeTV for a comment. As Adeeb was serving a 33-year jail term, he was unavailable for a comment as well.