Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has criticised the Prosecutor General for being hesitant in pressing certain charges involving corruption and embezzlement.
The speaker made the remarks while speaking in relation to the Auditor General’s compliance audit report, which states former Minister of Health Abdulla Ameen had provided false information to the Parliament regarding the procurement of ventilators through a Dubai-based company.
Speaker Nasheed said charges must be pressed against anybody who violates the parliamentary authorities. He claimed Prosecutor General Hussain Shameem has been hesitant to press certain charges involving corruption and embezzlement. However, he said the PG will not be allowed to be hesitant on this matter.
The PG Office had earlier decided to reject the charges forwarded by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in relation to the financial irregularities in contracting Dubai-based Executors General Trading to procure 75 ventilators to the Maldives. ACC forwarded charges against 11 officials of the Ministry of Health, including former Minister Ameen. However, the PG Office stated the ACC investigation was not adequate to prove any of the charges.
The Judiciary Committee of the Parliament subsequently prepared a report on the case, recommending the PG Office to review its decision to reject the charges. The committee recommended the PG Office to seek further information regarding the case from the relevant investigative authorities, including Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ACC.
Following the recommendation by the Judiciary Committee, PG Office is currently reviewing the case.