Ex-President Yameen had finalized all lease agreements by MMPRC, says jailed former MD

Former managing director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation Abdulla Ziyath, one of the individuals implicated in biggest corruption scandal in Maldives’ history, has said that former President Abdulla Yameen had finalized all lease agreements made by the company.

A statement released by his wife on Sunday notes that the former president was aware of all transactions made by MMPRC, adding the it was Yameen’s decision to lease islands and lagoons “to fulfill his government pledges to the tourism sector”.

It also notes that it was Yameen’s decision to deposit the money to the MMPRC bank account rather than Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA), with the attorney general granting the permission to do so.

Noting that details of all transactions were given to both Yameen and then-attorney general, the statement highlighted that former President Yameen had “finalized all lease agreements” of the islands and lagoons.

While he was appointed as MMPRC’s managing director in 2014, Ziyath said that Yameen had “widened” the company’s mandate to allow the company to handle the leasing of islands and lagoons.

Furthermore, Ziyath noted that the explosion of the presidential speedboat in September 2015, which has been described as an assassination attempt on the former president, had led to a dispute between Yameen and his then deputy Ahmed Adeeb.

Following the dispute, Ziyath said that he was summoned to the President’s Office and ordered to give a statement against Adeeb. He added that he was arrested shortly after refusing to do so.

Noting that he was taken out of his jail cell in Dhoonidhoo Detention Center to give a statement “late at night,” Ziyath emphasized that he had denied making such a statement in court.

Ziyath’s statement also notes various unlawful activities in his trial, including holding hearings via audio and video conferences. He added that the charge against him and the subsequent conviction “was politically motivated”.

He further denied that any cheques were given to Adeeb, and being involved in any corrupt activities.

Confirming that the cheques were deposited to a different company “with the influence of powerful individuals,” Ziyath said that this was against the MMPRC board’s decision as well as Bank of Maldives (BML) regulations.

Ziyath further stated that he had refrained from saying anything regarding the matter for the past three years because of the “dangerous” situation he was in.

While Ziyath was sentenced to eight years in prison over the embezzlement, the High Court had upheld his conviction last month.