Former ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has been ordered to pay MVR 3.8 million to state airline, Maldivian.

Civil Court had on Sunday ordered the party to pay the amount within 15 days.

Former President Abdulla Yameen's PPM had chartered flights from the airline on credit, to transport its supporters to a mass rally held during the 2018 presidential campaign.

Maldivian had filed an MVR 3.8 million lawsuit against the party last December. The party owes the airline a total of MVR 4.8 million.

Prior to filing the lawsuit, the airline had requested Elections Commission (EC) to settle the credit using outgoing state funds to PPM. However, EC denied the request saying it was not in their jurisdiction to do so.