Have not done anything illegal, purpose of resort raid was to intimidate: Villa Group

Villa Group has said that the purpose of police’s search on all five resorts of Jumhoory Party leader Qasim Ibrahim’s resorts on Wednesday night is “intimidation”.

In a joint operation with Maldives Customs Service and Maldives Inland Revenue Authority, Maldives Police Service searched the five resorts owned by the now opposition leader, under a court order on Wednesday night, on the grounds that alcoholic beverages licensed for one of said resorts was carried over and sold at another. The resorts are searched were; Sun Island Resort, Paradise Island Resort, Holiday Island Resort, Royal Island Resort and Fun Island Resort. An additional search was conducted on Paradise Island, Sun Island and Royal Island Resorts on Thursday as well.

The court order authorizing the search on Sun Island Resort said that its was being searched under suspicion that the alcoholic beverages taken to Royal Island Resort from the Customs Bonded Warehouse was being distributed to other resorts associated with it.

The Group’s general manager Qaisar Naseem told RaajjeMV that this is being done to “hassle and intimidate” Qasim.

He said that Custom’s allegations against them are not unlawful and that they had followed all rules and regulations in taking the beverages from Royal Island Resort to other resorts.

“According to local laws, one can move liquor from one property licensed to sell to another,” said Naseem.

He said that none of the liquor taken under Royal Island Resort had never been taken to other resorts straight from Customs. Noting that they are taken to Royal, Naseem said that they are then distributed to the other resorts, after registering them at the resort and completing all necessary procedures.

Naseem noted that officers searching the resorts was a “shock” to the tourists holidaying there, adding that this will have a negative effect on other resorts as well.

The authorities had conducted their search of the resorts today as well.

Initially a coalition partner of the current administration, Jumhooree Party has since formed an alliance with the opposition. Since then, the State has taken back some islands leased to Qasim’s companies, with MIRA freezing Villa account’s bank accounts.

Qasim, the MP of Maamigili, was found guilty of bribery and has been sentenced to three years in prison. He is currently in Germany seeking medical treatment. He flew there after being granted permission to travel to Singapore for medical treatment by the state.