Investigation into Corruption Allegations Against Nasheed Still Ongoing

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed that the investigation into corruption allegations against former President and incumbent Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed is still going on.

ACC confirmed that the matter is being examined, but was unable to provide further details as the investigation is ongoing.

A private party reported the case to ACC, claiming that former President Nasheed accepted a bribe to influence the previous administration to hand over the new seaplane terminal constructed at Velana International Airport (VIA) to Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA). The case was presented on February 13, 2020. However, ACC informed the private party that the investigation began on September 17, 2020.

Documents of the case shared with the Maldives Journal show that ACC had decided to pursue the matter reported on February 13. The case was reported to the commission via a letter to the President of ACC Mariyam Shiuna. The letter described in detail the reasons Nasheed is suspected of corruption.

The letter mentioned that former President Nasheed tweeted that TMA should be assigned the terminal, and the lawyer for TMA, Jared Genser was previously one of Nasheed's lawyers. The letter further mentioned that President Nasheed tweeted that TMA should be given the terminal after a secret meeting with TMA board members on the 7th story of the new parliament building on February 12, 2020.

In addition to the request to stop TMA from claiming the terminal, the letter to ACC called for the investigation into everyone involved in the corruption.