MIRA refutes allegations of political favouritism

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has refuted opposition allegations, following the freezing of accounts belong to Qasim Ibrahim, that the statutory body is politicized.

The authority said on Tuesday that it has always acted in adherence to financial laws, and its enforcement policies. It further said that it does not penalize individuals or organisations based on their background or political leanings.

A statement from MIRA said that it is within its mandate to penalize and set methods for attaining funds owed to, not just the authority itself, but any other state institution.

The statement also said that MIRA has frozen accounts belonging to 17 other organizations that have not paid amounts owed to the state, in addition to 270 corporations that have been in breach of contract within the tourism sector.

MIRA further said that it would also penalize corporations based on court orders, and that these enforcements would only stand for the duration of said orders.

Last month, opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed said that MIRA has proven itself to be politically biased towards the government - following MIRA’s order to feeze accounts operated by Villa Group, an enterprise founded and operated by opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Qasim Ibrahim.

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Qasim Ibrahim’s accounts were also frozen after he withdrew support for the ruling coalition, in 2015.