2 October 2018
Al Jazeera reported that a third party deposited $648,508 in hard currency into the president Yameen’s account at the Maldives Islamic Bank on September 5. Another $810,635 was deposited to the same account on September 10. The bank was told that the money was donations from private companies and various others to be used in the 2018 presidential election.
This was revealed in a confidential letter sent by Financial Intelligence Unit of the Maldives’ central bank to the Acting Commissioner of Police Abdulla Nawaz.
Fuwad Thowfeek, former head of the elections commission, said that if the president declares the donation within 30 days of the election there will not be any breach of law.
Ibrahim Muaz Ali, spokesman for the president, said the president has a separate account for campaign related expenses, into which he deposited money according to the law.
Al Jazeera also reported that Abdulla Ashraf, head of the FIU, was removed from his position soon after the letter was sent to police. However, he continues to work at the central bank. On Monday, the President transferred the acting commissioner of police, Abdulla Nawaz to the environment ministry. Nawaz had last week announced that the police ‘will uphold the decision of the Maldivian people’ and had also met with President-elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Former Maldives president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been released on bail along with his son Faris Maumoon on Sunday. Another Maldivian dissident, Qasim Ibrahim, was also granted bail. He obtained prison leave for medical treatment and has remained in Europe.
Rumours surfaced that the authorities are preparing to declare a nation-wide State of Emergency anew and arrest members of the Elections Commission under accusations of bribery. This will amount to coup by the sitting president.
