The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has sought criminal charges against two former ministers and a former deputy tourism minister, from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO).
On Thursday, ACC revealed that they are seeking charges against former Vice President and Finance Minister Abdulla Jihad, former Finance Minister Ahmed Munavvar, and former Deputy Tourism Minister Hussain Lirar.
ACC revealed that the charges against Jihad, Munavvar and Lirar are based on a case probed by the commission in connection to seven agreements signed under joint venture agreements for tourist resort development.
As such, the seven agreements include a put-option right, stipulating that the government must renounce its shares to private shareholders or individuals chosen by them, free of charges, once the development phase of resort islands are completed.
The investigation into the case was concluded and forwarded to the PGO on Thursday, for charges.
Four charges are being sought in connection to the case:
- Charges for using undue influence of their ministerial positions to acquire undue benefits,
- Charges for acting in a manner that hinders benefits to the state,
- Charges for deliberately acting in a manner that is against the legal mandate, while serving as a public official,
- Charges for misusing their official authority to acquire benefits for themselves or someone unentitled to benefits.
The commission revealed that the seven islands which were leased for tourist resort development were:
- Thiladhoo island in Baa atoll,
- Hurasfaru island in Shaviyani atoll,
- Naainfaru island in Shaviyani atoll,
- Fasmendhoo island in Raa atoll,
- Emboodhoo Finolhu in Kaafu atoll,
- Kodhipparufalhu (Dhidhdhoo Finolhu) in Kaafu atoll,
- Kodhipparufalhu (Ameengiri) of Kaafu atoll.
All islands except for Thiladhoo were leased under Article 5 of the Maldives Tourism Act, whereas Thiladhoo was leased after the eighth amendment brought to the act.
Thiladhoo was leased under a joint venture agreement signed with the inclusion of a put-option right and the government has the authority to sell shares to partners in joint ventures, however, it does not have the authority to surrender shares to partners in joint ventures, without fees in return.
These agreements were signed by the ex-minister, Munavvar.
Under lease agreements signed with joint venture companies formed under joint venture agreements between the government and private companies with exemptions as stipulated under Article 5 of Tourism Act, the remaining six islands were leased without public tenders.
The agreements for five islands being leased for resort development, were signed by then Finance Minister, Jihad.
Lease agreements for three of the islands were signed by Lirar, who served as the Deputy Tourism Minister at the time.
