Yameen informs police in writing that he has no information regarding the fire at three ministries
9 ސެޕްޓެމްބަރު 2026 | ބުދަ 07:49Former President Yameen has informed the police that he possesses no further evidence regarding his claims that a fire at a building housing three ministries in Malé was an act of arson. Despite his allegations, police investigations have confirmed the incident was caused by an electrical short circuit, leading authorities to urge public figures to refrain from spreading misinformation for political gain.
Former President Abdulla Yameen speaking at an event. | peoples' national front (pnf)
Former President Abdulla Yameen has informed the police that he has no further information regarding the fire that broke out in a building housing three government ministries in Male'.
The Maldives Police Service has announced that investigations into the fire at the three ministries revealed the cause to be an electrical short circuit. Police further stated that the investigation found no evidence to support criminal charges against any individual in connection with the incident.
In a press statement released Tuesday, the police noted that former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, in a speech delivered on September 5, 2026, alleged that the fires in the aforementioned buildings were acts of arson. He further claimed that the police are now aware of this and are currently in possession of evidence related to the matter.
Police stated that they attempted to serve a summons to former President Yameen, seeking further clarification on statements he made regarding the case, which are considered significant to the investigation. However, the police statement noted that Yameen declined to accept the summons.
Furthermore, police stated that he had provided a written response addressing his previous remarks. In the document, he reportedly asserted that he possessed no further information regarding the matter and therefore maintained there was no further purpose for him to appear at the police station.
In a press release, the police urged individuals to provide full cooperation to the investigation within the legal framework, rather than disseminating information that creates a negative public perception of institutions working for public safety and undermines the integrity of the investigative process.
While former President Yameen has alleged that the police are aware that a close associate of President Muizzu was behind the arson attack at the Housing Ministry, President Muizzu denied these claims during a press conference on Monday. President Muizzu dismissed the allegations as an absolute lie, stating that there is no truth whatsoever to the claims.
Speaking at the People’s Majlis, Minister Ihusaan stated that the Maldives Police Service, in collaboration with international experts from partner nations, conducted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Minister Ihusaan further clarified that the investigation concluded the fire was not an act of arson. Instead, the findings revealed that the incident was caused by an electrical fault.
A fire broke out in December 2024 at the building housing the Ministry of Housing, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Environment. The incident resulted in the complete destruction of the premises used by the three ministries.
