Someone can only be called a thief 'once proven guilty', says Maldives president
The President has admitted to receiving USD one million from MMPRC, the company implicated in the biggest corruption scandal the country has seen
President Abdulla Yameen
President Abdulla Yameen has responded to the opposition's criticism towards senior officials of his administration, regarding the biggest corruption scandal in the country.
While the president has admitted to USD one million being transferred to his account through Maldives Marketing and Public Relation Corporation (MMPRC)- the company implicated in the theft of millions of dollars- the opposition alleges that the incumbent president was involved in the scheme.
Speaking at a ruling party campaign gathering in Kulhudhuffushi island of Haa Dhaalu atoll on Wednesday night, President Yameen noted that someone can only be called a thief 'once proven guilty'.
He added that one should think twice before calling someone a thief, 'especially if they are a political leader'.
In addition, President Yameen accused senior Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) officials of corruption, emphasizing that some of these people had paid back the state after the president himself sent them letters.
President Yameen- who is developing an airport in Kulhudhuffushi after destroying the island's mangrove- said that the project will be completed before next month's elections, and pledged to develop more roads in the island, if the people vote for him.
