Maldives Police Service (MPS) has stated it is not seeking any additional evidence in the corruption investigation against Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof.
On June 9, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) forwarded corruption charges against Minister Mahloof in relation to the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC). When asked about the reason behind the delays in pressing the charges in court, Prosecutor General (PG) Hussain Shameem said additional information is being sought with MPS before pressing the charges.
Answering to queries on the case, MPS stated no additional evidence is being sought in the investigation against Minister Mahloof. However, MPS said efforts are ongoing to provide some clarifications requested by the PG in relation to the evidence collected in the case.
Meanwhile, Minister Mahloof has claimed that the PG is discriminating against him while looking into the case, and criticised the delays in making a decision on the case. In response to the claim, PG Shameem said cases are filed for prosecution based on the evidence and that the PG Office is working to confirm that all evidence in the case was obtained in accordance with the law. Furthermore, the PG stated it does not discriminate against any individual and that Mahloof's case is being delayed due to the numerous evidence and documents that need to be processed as well as due to the large amount of administrative work.
ACC charged Mahloof under Article 2(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act, on the counts of bribery and embezzlement in relation to the corruption scandal of MMPRC. ACC has also charged Mahloof under Article 521 of the Penal Code of the Maldives for providing false information to an investigative authority.
The charges against Mahloof were submitted to the PG Office on June 9. On the same day, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih ordered Mahloof to step aside from his duties until a decision is made on the corruption charges pressed against him.