PG commences internal inquiry related to MMPRC scandal

An inquiry has been commenced to find out whether there was any influence inside the Prosecutor General’s Office (PG Office) related to the massive MMPRC corruption scandal.

The inquiry is being conducted by a three-member Committee. The MMPRC scandal is being investigated by a Presidential Commission that includes the PG Office and the Anti-Corruption Commission.

Speaking in a program of Raajje TV last night, PG Hussain Shameem said that he was aware of allegations made against the PG office that were related to the scandal.

“I have now begun an internal inquiry. I want to see whether those involved with the MMPRC matter previously and those on the matter now have any allegations or questionable points. A three-member committee has been tasked to see whether anything is there regarding how the work is being commenced now and before as to how the system is, internally.” Said PG Shameem.

The report on the matter is expected to be received within a week, which will show any such influences. The issues will be addressed, said Shameem.

The work into the matter currently was not faced with any such influences, noted Shameem who said that any such influence would mean that the employee would be dismissed.

Shameem who is now the top prosecutor of the Maldives once represented the former Vice-President Ahmed Adeeb, who is alleged to have had a massive role in the MMPRC scandal. However, this was before the MMPRC scandal even surfaced.

Adeeb was arrested due to an explosion on the Presidential speedboat in 2015, and the current prosecutor general represented him during the trial. However, the Supreme Court moved to suspend Shameem’s license in November of that year. The suspension lasted nearly two years. During that time, the MMPRC scandal surfaced, was investigated and charges were brought against Adeeb.

“I have not worked on a matter of Adeeb, especially related to corruption.” Said Shameem.

He noted that there six main primary clusters of the MMPRC scandal. Other than Adeeb, the major roles were played by former President Abdulla Yameen and Managing Director of MMPRC Abdulla Ziyath. Both Ziyath and Adeeb have testified against former President Yameen in court. The former President is currently serving a five-year sentence for money laundering related to the scandal.

The presidential commission has formulated a list of those involved with the MVR 1.2 billion scandal. It is yet to be made public. However, Police have said that MPs of the current parliament as well as previous MPs were implicated in the scandal. Some MPs have since made claims of being falsely implicated in the scandal as well.