Yameen says his alleged involvement in embezzlement cannot be proven

Former President Abdulla Yameen has said that his alleged involvement in the Maldives Marketing & PR Corporation (MMPRC)’s embezzlement scandal cannot be proven.

At a press conference on Thursday night, Yameen said that the state embezzlement scandal, which occurred during his administration, has nothing to do with him and that he is ready to assist any investigation.

Former Auditor General Niyaz Ibrahim has accused Yameen of obstructing the investigation of the MMPRC scandal, which is the largest case of state embezzlement in Maldives history.

At the press conference, Yameen confirmed that Niyaz had met him but said that he did not explain the case clearly and failed to mention that the money owed to the state from island sales had gone missing.

Yameen also said that it was the Auditor General’s responsibility to look into the case and file a police report and that Niyaz should not have to discuss it with him.

Responding to claims that Yameen would have known of any large-scale cases of corruption taking place in his administration, he said that he had personally taken action against any such cases as soon as he found out, adding that the cases were investigated on his orders while other investigative bodies ignored them.