Criminal Court of the Maldives has acquitted Minister of State for Tourism Ahmed Solih of the corruption charges levied against him by the state.
Solih was charged with influence peddling in relation to letters sent regarding the lease of two lagoons in Kaafu Atoll and Fiththeyofushi in Vaavu Atoll. The charge sheet stated Solih had sent letters to certain parties claiming there were no ongoing probes regarding the two lagoons and the island, when there was already an order not to change the head lease of the islands due to pending rental payments. Solih was charged for using his official authority to provide an illegitimate benefit to a certain party.
Following the trial of the charges pressed against Solih, the Criminal Court ruled that the evidence submitted by the state was not enough to prove that Solih is guilty. As such, the court said the testimonies presented by the state had also told the court that the letters sent by Solih had no mention of changing the lease of the islands. The court also noted the order by the then-Tourism Minister Ali Waheed to withhold change of head lease had later been withdrawn.
The charges against Solih were pressed following an investigation by the Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery. Solih was suspended from office for the duration of the trial against him.