Male’ City Mayor Dr. Muizzu summoned to ACC

Male’ City Mayor Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has been summoned to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for questioning. 

In a press conference by the Male’ City Council on Thursday morning, Muizzu said he has been instructed to present himself to the ACC headquarters at 02:00 pm. 

He did not specify what the summons was regarding, stating that it was an attempt to intimidate him. 

Muizzu criticized the corruption watchdog. 

“ACC is an institution under political influence which has lost its autonomy,” he said. 

ACC said the summons was issued in connection to an ongoing investigation, but declined to disclose any details. 

“Any summons issued will be connected to ongoing investigations. So, since it is an ongoing investigation, we do not disclose information to that level,” said a spokesperson from ACC. 

The summons comes after the Prosecutor General’s Office sent a corruption case against Muizzu investigated by ACC back to the commission for revisions last week. 

The press conference on Thursday came amid clashes between the city council and Housing Development Corporation (HDC) over a gathering organized by the opposition PPM-PNC coalition, titled ‘Kotharu Koshi’, scheduled to be held at the Hiyaa Park – located in the area in Hulhumale’ Phase II where the Hiyaa towers are located – at 08:30 pm on Friday.      

HDC said that any event in Hulhumale’ required prior written permission from the corporation, and that the opposition had not asked for permission to hold the gathering. 

However, the opposition coalition said they had written permission from the city council - dominated by the opposition - to hold the rally, and did not believe they required permission from any other institution.  

They continued to make preparations at the location for the gathering. 

On Wednesday, the city council - dominated by the opposition – passed the decision to terminate the land registry for Hulhumale’ awarded to HDC, and moved the suburb to under the council’s jurisdiction. 

HDC, which called the decision unlawful, filed a lawsuit against the city council on Thursday afternoon.

They have also sought assistance from police to stop the opposition from making preparations in the location. 

Police have barricaded the area.