Qasim: No payments are pending, Adheeb is talking politics

The Chairman of Villa and the Leader of the Jumhooree Party, Qasim Ibrahim has said that the Tourism Minister Ahmed Adheeb’s claim about pending payments from the Villa Group is a political talk and there is no truth to it.

At a special interview through VTV today, Qasim said that while Adheeb says that Villa has to pay USD 100 million to the state, if he checked properly, he would know it’s not money owed to the state.

“Those islands he says, Thaa. Atoll Elaa and Laamu. Atoll Kahdhoo and Haa.Dhaalu. Hanimaadhoo and Gaafu.Dhaalu. Dhiggaru and Raa. Atoll Maafenfushi, to these islands that money has to be paid for he says. In truth, if he checked he would know. I want to believe that this a big political talk. There is no truth to it.” Qasim said.

Qasim said that with the MIRA’s notice to pay USD 100 million, loans of USD 60 million and USD 20 million from European banks have been cancelled and other losses are being received.

The Chairman said that the USD 100 million asking to be paid is a fictional amount and if there is any justice at all, Villa won’t have to pay that money.

“That USD 100 million is a fictional amount. Judiciary, Justice, Equality, if there is even a bit of it we won’t have to pay.” Qasim said.

While being accused of tax evasion, Qasim said that millions of dollars was paid to the state in different names.

Adheeb and Qasim have had closed meetings in two previous occasions. And neither of them have talked publicly about what was discussed in those meetings.