Over MVR 1 million spent monthly by politicians on gangs in Male

A study on gang activity in Male’ has revealed that more than MVR1 million is spent monthly by politicians to pay gang leaders.

The Rapid Situation Assessment of Gangs in Male’ report, prepared by Maldives Institute for Psychological Services, Training and Research in collaboration with Asia Foundation, says that gang leaders sometimes collect a monthly income of up to MVR1 million ($65,000) for being on call to carry out a politician’s ‘dirty work’.

The report highlights that in extreme cases, contracts are made with gang members to carry out murders.

“We may be given a file with all the information about the person and be told we may be paid in millions to carry out the killing,” one gang member told the people who conducted the study.

The report says that the gangs and politicians are often interdependent.

“Some of the gang members depend on the politicians for protection from law enforcement agencies while the politician depends on the gang to suppress opponents or carry out other tasks that help maintain his popularity. The gang also has information about the politician’s illegal dealings that could be used for blackmail.”

According to the report, female gang members often work with blackmailing politicians or businessmen.

“Gang leaders may contract women to sleep with the opponent and make video tapes which are used for blackmail purposes. Sometimes female members are used for prostitution, in order to make addition income for the gang.”

The report states that gang sizes can range from 50 to 400 members, and includes theories as to why people join gangs.

The report was based on information collected by meeting with gang members at their preferred locations.

Police Media Official Sub-Inspector Hassan Haneef said that regardless of whether the purpose of such a report is academic, the Police will take the necessary action based on the recommendations and rectifications highlighted in the report.