Immigration probes Muizzu stepmother’s deportation

Maldives Immigration says that the PPM-PNC presidential candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s stepmother, a Sri Lankan national, was deported and blacklisted in violation of the law, and that they are investigating the case.

Local news outlet ‘Adhadhu’ reported in a documentary released on Tuesday that Skeelan Hussain was deported and blacklisted from Maldives in 2016.

In response to a question by a reporter on the Immigration’s media group on Thursday, a spokesperson for the agency said they recently became aware of Skeelan’s entry of Maldives being blocked.

They said they were investigating the case.

“We have been investigating to find out how this happened from then on,” said the spokesperson.

Skeelan claims that she agreed not to claim inheritance following Muizzu’s father’s death in 2015, after Muizzu verbally agreed in court that he would financially provide for her.

She said Muizzu failed to honor his word after the case closed, after which she was blacklisted from Maldives, leaving her unable to enter the country.

Skeelan claims she was blacklisted through the influence of Muizzu, who was serving as housing minister at the time.

The allegations have been denied by Muizzu.

In a campaign rally in Fuvahmulah on Tuesday, Muizzu accused the current administration of resorting to personal attacks to discredit him.

He said that he would not pay heed to such attacks.

“I have never done anything in violation of laws and regulations. And I never will. And I have never infringed on the rights of another, and never will,” he said.

Muizzu said he had no objection to the authorities investigating the allegations against him, as long as it is fair.