Maleesha Head arrested in Sri Lanka

Head of Maleesha Hajj and Umra Service, Ismail Abdul Latheef, who fraudulently collected funds from Hajj pilgrims earlier this year, has been arrested in Sri Lanka.

Sun Online understands that he was arrested at Mount Lavinia Hotel in Sri Lankalast night, and that he will be brought to Male’ tonight.

Interpol had also issued a red notice in search of Abdul Latheef.

Abdul Latheefswindled 175 peopleout of MVR68,000each, resulting in the collection of a total of MVR11.9 million.

Ministry of Islamic Affairs has informed that Maleesha Grouptook pilgrims to Hajj last year, but did not pay for the pilgrims’ hotel in Saudi Arabia.

Islamic Ministry revoked the Group’s permit to take people to Hajj after it failed to pay the hotel bill of MVR573,848after being notified repeatedly.

Ismail Abdul Latheef is the son of Athama Abdul Latheef who was among the pioneers of organising Hajj for Maldivians.

The government has promised to facilitate Hajj pilgrimage next year for the people deceived by Maleesha this year.