Bribe trail lands Maldive Gas ex-MD 12 years in prison

Former Managing Director of Maldives Gas Pvt Ltd, Abdulla Maumoon—appointed during President Abdulla Yameen’s administration—has been sentenced to 12 years, nine months, and 18 days in prison on charges of accepting bribes.

3DH International, a supplier contracted by Maldive Gas, has been accused of transferring funds to Maumoon and several of his family members. The Prosecutor General’s Office announced in April last year that seven counts of bribery had been filed against him.

The statutory punishment for each count is three years, two months, and 12 days of imprisonment.

On Monday, the Criminal Court found Maumoon guilty on two of the seven charges. He was sentenced accordingly. The verdicts on the remaining five charges are expected to be delivered at a later date.

Maumoon was first charged with bribery for transactions that occurred during his tenure as Managing Director of Maldive Gas from December 10, 2013, to November 16, 2018. The charges stem from a procurement arrangement with 3DH International to supply liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) beginning in April 2016.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, a shipment valued at USD 634,700 was deposited to 3DH International on April 4, 2016, into an account opened in the name of Maldives Gas at Maldives Islamic Bank.

The second charge relates to a transaction dated June 7, 2016.

Following the shipment, USD 49,921.50 was deposited into Maumoon’s personal account at the Bank of Ceylon. Additionally, USD 12,201.50 was transferred to the Bank of Maldives (BML) account of Mon Arc Pvt Ltd, a company affiliated with him.

The third transaction occurred on August 1, 2016. Prosecutors stated that USD 49,949.50 was deposited into Mon Arc’s BML account.

The fourth charge involves an April 9, 2017 transaction. After payment to the supplier, USD 24,930 was deposited into an Islamic Bank account belonging to I Developers Pvt Ltd, another company linked to Maumoon.

The fifth charge concerns a May 15, 2017 transaction. Following the supplier payment, USD 46,555 was deposited into Maumoon’s personal account at Maldives Islamic Bank.

The sixth charge was filed over an August 23, 2017 transaction. After the supplier received payment, USD 49,955 was deposited into Maumoon’s Islamic Bank account.

The seventh and final charge relates to an October 8, 2018 transaction. After payment to the supplier, USD 34,950 was deposited into an account held by Maumoon’s brother, Ahmed Hameed.

In total, USD 298,403.50 was deposited into accounts belonging to Abdulla Maumoon, his associates, and affiliated companies in connection with the seven transactions.