Ameen’s nephew Izdiyaan hired by President’s Office despite drug record

It has come to light that Izdiyaan Mohamed Maumoon, the nephew of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen, had a prior drug record at the time he was appointed to a position at the President’s Office.

Izdiyaan, who has had a close relationship with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu since the campaign and held the position of Under Secretary for Strategic Communication at the President's Office, is one of those suspected of partying under influence in the capital Malé City with a group of other young adults on the night of April 17.

The transport minister’s nephew has since been dismissed from his position as Under Secretary for Strategic Communication at the President's Office. However, the reason for dismissal was not disclosed by the presidential spokesperson. He was dismissed from his position after being pinned with accusations of partying under influence.

In addition to Izdiyaan, Daud Ahmed, who held the position of Under Secretary for Digital Strategy at the President's Office, has been suspended without pay.

At a press conference held on Thursday, the profiles of eight individuals suspected of involvement were publicized. As additional details about Izdiyaan, the police disclosed that he has a drug case record from 2015 to 2017.

The eight individuals suspected of partying under the influence are:

• Raud Ahmed Zilal, 21, G. Eriyadhoo
• Aishath Layaali Iqbal, 22, G. North Breeze
• Izdiyan Mohamed Maumoon, 28, Ma. Maandhoogedhekunuge (Nephew of Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation Mohamed Ameen; holds a position at the President's Office to date)
• Yoosuf Ahmed Akram, 22, Ma. Maandhoogedhekunuge (Nephew of Ameen)
• Yoosuf Yassaar Abdulgafoor, 28, H. Meenaaz
• Aminath Junaida Jamsheed, 24, M. Thilafalhu
• Hussain Hamees Ali, 28, Ali/N. Velidhoo
• Ijaaz Jaaiz, 24, Mathodaa Avah April/GDh. Faresmaathodaa

Following the disclosure of extensive information about the incident by an account on social media platform X known as ‘Hassan Kurusee’, the police held an impromptu press conference on the night of Tuesday, April 22 where they revealed that seven other people were with Yumnu that night, totaling three women and five men.

Many people have been criticizing the police's statement that Yumnu jumped on her own. At the initial press conference, while the police revealed the name and address of the female involved in the incident, they did not disclose any details about the other individuals involved.

The house where the gathering is to have taken place, is where Ameen lives. Taking to social media platform ‘X’ on Wednesday night, the minister noted that in connection with the incidents that unfolded that day, the two youths were taken for questioning, and that the building where they gathered is not a property he personally owns. He further explained that this is a building shared with his three siblings, and that the gathering did not take place inside his house or apartment. Ameen also stated that he had no knowledge of the gathering and that he cannot control what happens outside his house or apartment.