Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem has expressed confidence significant progress will be made in the case of alleged corruption in relation to the procurement of ventilators by Ministry of Health.
Speaking to PSM News, PG Shameem said he is willing to press charges in the case but Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has not shown any compelling evidence to file for a prosecution. Shameem said he will request the ACC to focus on specific avenues for further investigation, adding a significant amount of time has been invested into the case, due to the high degree of public and national interest, and their latest review shows a need for a deeper investigation. He expressed confidence that further investigations will bring significant results in the case, although the responsibility lies in the investigative authorities.
On October 14 last year, ACC forwarded charges against 11 officials of the health ministry, including then-Minister Abdulla Ameen, over the irregularities in awarding the contract to Dubai-based Executors Generals Trading to procure 75 ventilators to the Maldives. However, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) declined the case upon review, and decided not to press any charges, citing the inadequate investigation conducted by ACC.
The case was placed under review again upon recommendation by the Parliamentary Committee on Judiciary to seek further information on the case from relevant investigative authorities including the ACC and Maldives Police Service (MPS). Following the second review of the case, the PGO maintained its decision not to press charges, stating the evidence provided by ACC does not fit the requirements for criminal prosecution. However, upon further concerns, PGO decided to review the case for a third time to find any avenues for prosecution.