Information on Artur brothers was shared with the government in January: Police

The police have said that investigations were commenced upon receiving information that the Artur brothers, suspected of drug trafficking and conducting other illegal activities through making deals with senior government officials in different countries, had arrived in the Maldives.

A police media official told Sun Online that the information that the two brothers were in the Maldives was shared with the relevant government authorities in January 2013.

The media official said that investigations are ongoing to determine if the Artur brothers have conducted any illegal activities in the Maldives. He said that information on the brothers had been obtained via Interpol as well. The official however did not provide any details on the information obtained through Interpol.

Meanwhile, a letter sent by the Ministry of Tourism to the Immigration Department requesting for Maldivian visa for the Artur brothers has been leaked on social media.

The letter, sent in January 2013, requests for residence visa in the Maldives for the Artur brothers who are shareholders of a company registered in the Maldives called Artur Brothers World Connection Private Limited.

The letter states that Artur Brothers World Connection Private Limited had expressed interest in investing in tourism in the Maldives, and that the brothers require residence visa because they intend to conduct long-term business in the Maldives.

Rumours have been going around on social media that the Artur brothers are currently in the Maldives and that they are planning the assassination of some senior political leaders. The brothers are known to have been involved in various crimes in Kenya.

Artur Brothers World Connection was registered in the Maldives Economic Ministry on the 14 August 2012. Initially, the Maldivian shareholder of the company was Ismail Waseem of H. Ever Chance.

The company’s shares were held by the Artur brothers, Waseem and two Frenchmen. One Artur brother held 61 percent, the other held 19 percent, one Frenchman held 10 percent, the other held 7 percent, and the Maldivian held 3 percent.

An official of Economic Ministry has said that Waseem’s shares were transferred to Abdullah Shaffath of H. Ever Peace on 25 November 2012.