The raids on Jumhoree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim’s resorts are the result of President Abdulla Yameen’s hostility, and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed’s personal hatred towards Qasim, claims JP.

At a news conference held by the opposition coalition on Friday, JP Secretary General Ahmed Sameer said the raids on five of Qasim’s resorts were baselessly conducted by police officers along with officials of Customs and Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

Sameer noted that the raids were initiated by customs, which is under Minister Saeed’s authority.

He accused President Yameen and Minister Saeed of abusing their authority to harass Qasim, and described the minister as a man who bit the hand that fed him.

Minister Saeed’s education had been paid for by Qasim, and he had been the GM of Sun Island Resort, owned by Qasim, during the 2013 presidential election.

He was also a senior member of Qasim’s campaign staff during the election, and was later appointed to President Yameen’s cabinet in the slot reserved for Qasim’s party.

But Minister Saeed sided with ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) after Qasim and JP turned to the opposition.

He has since been criticizing Qasim and JP, and is now working for President Abdulla Yameen’s 2018 presidential campaign.