Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) has filed lawsuit at Civil Court seeking MVR 1.9 billion from three firms of the business magnate and opposition Jumhoory Party leader Gasim Ibrahim.
According to MIRA, the lawsuit was filed last Thursday against Gasim’s companies Villa Holidays, Gazeera Pvt Ltd and Maamenfushi Pvt Ltd
The companies are accused of failing to pay the island and land leases of three islands which were leased for resort development as well as the late payment fines due for the islands.
MIRA is seeking fines of a total of USD 129 million dollars with USD 35 million from Villa Holidays, USD 77 million from Maamenfushi and USD 17 million from Gazeera.
The case was registered at the Civil Court on August 10. Hearings for the case, however, have not been scheduled.
MIRA is also suing the business magante’s Villa Shipping and Trading Company and Villa Hotels for USD 37 million (MVR 528 million). The hearings for the case are currently ongoing at Civil Court.
MP Gasim himself is on trial charged with attempts bribe lawmakers ahead of the first censure vote in March to unseat parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh.
Gasim’s trial is currently on hold due to his poor health.
