MDP says raids on JP leader's properties is 'careless intimidation'

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has condemned Wednesday night’s raids on fellow coalition partner Qasim Ibrahim’s tourist properties.

In a statement hours after the police began searching the Paradise Island, Sun Island, and Fun Island resorts, bearing a warrant, MDP described the search as ‘unlawful intimidation’ of the opposition.

Police said about the search on a total of five tourist resorts owned by the opposition leader that they had been assistin the Maldives Customs Service in a case that the institution had been investigating.

A court judge had authorized the search of said properties and two more, all operated under the Jumhooree Party leader’s conglomerate Villa Group, on the grounds that alcoholic beverages licensed for one of said resorts was carried over and sold at another.

Officers of the police were accompanied by customs officials and staff of the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority. Together, they had seized a few beverages as evidence.

MDP called the search an attempt to tarnish the reputation of respected business owner, and expressed its conviction that the raids had no legitimate legal basis. The party had attested to the fact that the Villa Group adheres to the most ethical practices in all its ventures.

Further, given how December-April is considered Maldives’ peak tourist season, MDP expressed discontent over how the government has ‘chosen to carelessly intimidate the opposition to achieve short-term gratification at the cost of Maldives’ international reputation’.