Yameen accuses Police of allowing destruction of evidence in “land theft” case

Former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has accused the Police of allowing room for evidence to be destroyed in the “land theft” orchestrated by Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

Documents leaked on social media appeared to show that multiple people were given land from Hulhumale’ under the ‘Binveriya’ scheme despite not being on the list of recipients released in 2023 during the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) administration.

This included HDC’s former Managing Director Ibrahim Fazul Rasheed’s elder brother, Mohamed Fazeel Rasheed, the deputy managing director of Male’ Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC).

Speaking at a PNF event last night, Yameen noted that there were concerning issues regarding the way the investigation in the case was unfolding.

In this regard, he noted that officials implicated in the case have been suspended, with some of their passports withheld.

He stressed that all communication devices belonging to individuals suspected of such severe criminal offenses are usually seized for investigation under court orders as the investigation will be centered on evidence gathered from such items. As this has not been done in the case, Yameen questioned how serious the Police were regarding their investigation.

“When considering the severity of this case, is it not allowing for the opportunity to destroy evidence? There is no seriousness regarded to this. No seriousness. Just allowing the opportunity to destroy evidence,” he said.

Some media outlets have reported that Ahmed Zuhoor, during his tenure as HDC’s Chairman, sent a letter to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu informing of the alleged land theft. However, the President has denied receiving such a letter.

Referring to this, Yameen said it was clear that President Muizzu was lying, adding there is no way a letter addressed to the President sent to the President’s Office making huge allegations against an individual appointed managing director of state-owned enterprises at a ministerial capacity will not reach the President.

The former president questioned the motive behind lying in a matter of this severity.

President Muizzu first spoke to the press regarding the case on Sunday. In this regard, he said people are not appointed to posts so that they can engage in corruption. He affirmed that action will be taken if any information indicating such is brought to his attention.

Notably, Fazul resigned from his post as HDC’s managing director on Saturday night, amid a criminal probe into the case. He was replaced by former construction minister Mohamed Mauroof Jameel whom the President has expressed full confidence in.