Most casinos in Las Vegas run by Saudi royal family: Amru

Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Policy Committee Chair Hussain Amru has claimed that most number of casinos in Las Vegas were owned by members of the Saudi royal family.

Speaking in Sunday night’s “Fala Suruhee” Amru said that we cannot afford to remain complacent at a time the Saudi royal family was buying Faafu Atoll, while saying the family was a Muslim one. He asserted that while running casinos is banned in Saudi Arabia, members of Saudi royal family were heavily involved and invested in running casinos in Las Vegas. As such, he said that the Government must reveal what was planned for the Atoll, if the sale were to take place.

“Rumors of rapes carried out by Saudi Princes are common. We can see this type of pattern repeating throughout the Saudis,” Amru said.

Amru further noted that nations had waged major wars over their sovereign land. Therefore, he said the sale of Faafu atoll was not a simple issue. He said Maldivians were not that destitute enough to sell off land, but if we were to follow this path, then Maldives was likely to face the same situation as Greece.

Reports had surfaced that the Saudi monarch, Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud will sign the agreement for Faafu atoll during his trip to the Maldives next month. President Yameen, members of his cabinet and senior Government officials have spoken in a manner that lent credence to the rumored sale of the Atoll. However, the Government is yet to issue a statement on the issue.

If sold, this will be the first time part of the country is sold off to a foreign buyer. While Saudi Arabia is one of the corrupt and brutal regimes globally, speculation had risen whether Maldives will be able to exercise jurisdiction over the atoll.