Police begins probe on Villa Group, for ‘publicizing names of officers’ involves in resort raid

Maldives Police Service has launched an investigation into Villa Group, for releasing the names of the officers active in the recent resort raid.

Police, in a statement released on Tuesday night, condemned the release of names in a statement issued by Villa Group’s attorneys urging the National Integrity Commission (NIC) to review the case submitted against government officials, for acting unlawfully.

Noting that this was done to obstruct the work of law enforcement officers, and intimidate and threaten them, Police said that they investigating the matter as a serious case.

Villa’s attorney and former Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem noted that issues against police and customs officers are to be submitted to the National Integrity Commission, adding that it is their righst as citizens “to report”.

“When we suspect a fire incident, we report to fire department. Similarly, when Police and Customs violate law, we report to NIC. none of the above is illegal. In fact, it's our duty as citizens to report,” said the attorney who was recently given the go ahead to practice law after a two-year suspension.

Villa Group has filed complaint against officials of Customs, Police, and Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) that conducted search and seizures in five of its resorts, for ‘unlawfully’ confiscating a large amount of liquor from the resorts.

Customs and Police officers first raided Villa Group’s five resorts on Wednesday night, claiming that liquor licensed to one of its resorts, from the Customs Bonded Warehouse was being distributed to other resorts associated with it unlawfully. The five resorts searched are; Sun Island Resort, Paradise Island Resort, Holiday Island Resort, Royal Island Resort and Fun Island Resort. Villa Group denies any wrongdoings, saying that they did everything as per law.