Yacht tours, owned by businessman Abdulla Jabir, has appealed the verdict by Civil Court to pay the state MVR 440 million (USD 29 million), at the High Court.
The Civil Court in June ruled against the company involving its lease of Alidhoo island in Haa Alif atoll, after the case seeking compensation for unpaid rent and fines was filed by the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority
Alidhoo was given the contract to develop the island as a tourist resort in May 2005. Presiding Judge Ali Abdulla, ruled that there is sufficient reason for the company to pay off the amount, as the lease agreement and other relevant documents show.
Along with the lease of Alidhoo island, the company had also appealed at High Court, the verdict to pay up USD 3.6 million for the lease of Beenafushi and Kandaali islands in the same atoll.
While the company’s accounts have been frozen by MIRA in regards to these cases, the Civil Court had upheld it when the company had filed suit against MIRA regarding the issue.
Yacht Tours accounts were frozen on the 22nd of March 2017.
MIRA had ordered the company to pay up the amount within a year. Yacht Tours is also required to pay rent and fine sums for this duration as well.
Jabir, who was a former Member of Parliament, is currently aligned with the joint opposition coalition and serves as political advisor to former President and leader of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed.
