Embattled Villa Group Chairman and opposition Jumhoory Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim has denied any wrongdoing alleging that the government crackdown on the company's resorts was a "plot to bankrupt" him.
Customs along with the police had raided five resorts of the group owned by Gasim last week, which included Fun Island Resort, Sun Island Resort, Paradise Island Resort, Holiday Island Resort and Royal Island Resort.
Authorities later claimed that four of the five resorts searched under the operation had an illegally acquired stock of pork and alcohol.
According to the authorities, the country's inland revenue authority had temporarily revoked the alcohol license of the four resorts over failure to pay taxes. However, the Villa Group had illegally diverted pork and alcohol from its sole license in Royal Island Resort to its sister properties.
Government had later suspended the liquor license issued to Royal Island Resort for a period of six months citing "multiple violations."
In a letter sent to his staff, Gasim assured that the "politically motivated" crackdown was not down to the company violating any laws.
"My involvement in politics is not for personal glory or benefit. I do it for the progress of the people and the country," the business tycoon insisted.
Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) had earlier said that the Villa Group owes over USD23 million in unpaid taxes.
Gasim however, denied the tax evasion allegations insisting that his company has not breached any contract made with the government.
Gasim was convicted of bribery in August last year months after he inked a landmark pact with former presidents Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Mohamed Nasheed and religiously conservative Adhaalath Party (AP) leader Sheikh Imran Abdulla to work against the government.
The business tycoon was granted medical leave to travel to Singapore where he had undergone a minor heart surgery in September before travelling to Germany.
Despite his leave expiring in late September, the former lawmaker had not returned claiming that no airline would allow him on board an air craft due to his ailing condition.
