PGO ‘unhappy’ with decision to postpone sports minister’s bribery case

Prosecutor General’s Office states they are unhappy with the decision of the Criminal Court to postpone hearings in the bribery case against Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof until the COVID-19 situation improves. 

PGO’s Public Prosecutor and Spokesperson Ahmed Shafeeu told Sun on Thursday that the office does not see any reason for the court to postpone Mahloof’s case, but continue to hear other cases. 

“We aren’t happy with the decision. We want to complete all cases as soon as possible,” he said. 

When asked whether the PGO planned on appealing the decision, Shafeeu said they had no grounds for appeal as the decision hadn't been a judgement. 

Criminal Court had announced the decision to postpone Mahloof’s case on Wednesday. A court official told Sun that it had been decided to hold in-person hearings in the case, and that a hearing would be scheduled as soon as the COVID-19 situation improved. 

The decision sparked immediate criticism from members of the general and independent groups, including Transparency Maldives. 

Transparency Maldives said the decision served to highlight the lack of transparency of the court’s guidelines. 

The organization noted that the court published guidelines on virtual hearings back in 2020. 

They also expressed concern over lack of action against Mahloof despite being charged with bribery. 

The President’s spokesperson has stated that state officials accused of corruption will be taken action against the moment the cases against them are sent for prosecution, and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has made similar statements, said Transparency Maldives. 

“We reiterate our concerns regarding the lack of transparency of these unwritten 'guidelines' and how the decision allows for corrupt individuals to use their position of power hide evidence or engage in more corrupt activities,” said the organization. “We also reiterate our calls to create and enforce a clear and transparent system to address allegations and acts of corruption by public officials.” 

Transparency Maldives said that an objective, transparent and timely process to deliver justice is extremely important and a key step in promoting good governance. 

Mahloof was charged with taking a bribe based on the findings of an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) into the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) graft scandal.   

ACC found that on September 1, 2014, a USD 33,000 cheque was deposited to Mahloof’s bank account by SOF Private Limited – the company accused of laundering the stolen funds. The corruption watchdog said that though Mahloof submitted a ‘Payment Received’ slip in the name of SOF as evidence it had been a legitimate business transaction to procure US dollars, the commission had witnesses and other evidence to prove otherwise.   

Mahloof had been suspended back in 2019, when ACC’s report on the MMPRC scandal was first publicized. However, he was cleared two months later, following an investigation by the President’s Office. 

Mahloof was placed under suspension against in June last year, after the ACC requested corruption charges against him with the Prosecutor General’s Office.  However, the President's Office lifted the suspension four months later, in October.