Investigations into 30 individuals allegedly involved in the largest case of embezzlement in the country’s history involving the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), have been prioritized, says Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
Highlighting that the commission places high priority in the investigation, ACC’s President Mariyam Shiuna revealed that it is unclear when they will be able to conclude the investigations into the case.
She said this in response to a question posed during a meeting held by the parliamentary committee on independent institutions, on Wednesday.
While numerous individuals are accused of involvement in the graft, investigations and charges have been sought against them, separately, said Shiuna.
This poses a challenge is providing a deadline for the investigation.
ACC member Ali Ashraf highlighted that the presidential inquiry commission on asset recovery was established with the mandate to probe the embezzlement, with which ACC had submitted all of the documents relevant to the case.
As the case is being probed as a joint investigation by investigative institutions, ACC cannot pinpoint a specific date investigations are expected to conclude.
The commission has drawn public criticism for failing to carry out its responsibilities as the state institution established specifically to probe and take the required action in connection to cases of corruption. As such, the commission had delayed publicizing investigative reports regarding the graft case previously as well. ACC first revealed that it would publicize the reports during 2015, however, it was only able to do so four years later.
The People’s Majlis has also been expressing concern over the delay in concluding investigations into the MMPRC embezzlement. The investigation is now being carried out as a joint investigation.
Although the investigative reports have indicated that seniors at state institutions, parliamentarians and judges received embezzled funds, the authorities have only prosecuted former President Abdulla Yameen and most recently, former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.
