Dhiyana Saeed, the former Attorney General and wife of MP Abdullah Jabir (Kashidoo), has given a statement at the Maldives Police Service regarding a case she lodged with the Police regarding an alleged loan given by her husband to the former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom. She alleged that Maumoon's eldest son, Faris Maumoon, had misappropriated the money that his father had received.
Speaking to The Maldives Journal, Shiyana said that she had given the Police a "big-picture outline" of the incidents pertaining to the case that she had lodged on January 23.
"Since they only took the first statement today, I broadly outlined what had happened. How the transaction took place, and I also shared what had happened in the first stage and the second stage. I gave that background with evidence, as well. Once the investigation progresses, I said that I would provide more evidence", said Dhiyana.
Her husband, MP Jabir, had previously lodged a case against the former President in the Civil Court regarding a loan of MVR 29 million that he had allegedly taken out for the 2018 Presidential Election. Maumoon has, however, repeatedly denied MP Jabir's claims and had claimed that no such transaction had taken place. Dhiyana lodged a case requesting a criminal investigation into Faris Maumoon's alleged misappropriation of the money and also into Maumoon's consistent denial.
Dhiyana said that since this pertained to a criminal investigation, she did not believe that it was productive to share evidence or further details with the media. "But, since this is a matter of public interest, I will try to share as much as I can in such a way that it does not impede the investigation", she said.
From the total MVR 29 million former President Maumoon took out as a loan from MP Jabir, MVR 24 million had been handed over to Faris Maumoon, on his father's behalf, during a face-to-face meeting in Malaysia. The former President Maumoon had also placed a lien on his property, MA. Kinbigasdhoshuge, to secure the debt.