Maldives Police Service has revealed that no amount of funds embezzled from the state in the MMPRC graft have been recovered thus far.
Speaking on the MMPRC Audit Report at the Parliament's Public Finance Committee, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz on Sunday said the police is working with the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding the MMPRC graft, however, none of the funds have been recovered as of now.
He further revealed that none of the bank accounts of the suspects involved in the case are frozen at the time.
Riyaz said the acquisition cost of six islands leased for tourism by MMPRC was not paid to the state. The issue was noted by both the police and ACC during numerous meetings with state entities during the previous administration.
The Public Finance Committee asked several questions regarding the suspects involved in the case. However, Riyaz did not divulge information on the suspects as Sunday's meeting was an open session, and the case in question was still ongoing.
The government was to receive US$ 79 million for the leasing of islands through MMRPC. However, the state received only US$ 12.8 from the amount. Riyaz said the MMPRC graft was pre-planned well in advance, in order to lease the islands to certain parties, according to the findings of the police investigation.
Riyaz further revealed that the board resolution passed by MMPRC granting sweeping powers to their Managing Director Abdulla Ziyath was a forged document, and charges have been filed at the Prosecutor General's Office regarding the finding.
Based on the MMPRC case, cases of 49 islands were investigated and concluded by the police during 2015 and sent to the Prosecutor General's Office for further action. During early 2016, 21 cases were investigated and concluded and sent to the Prosecutor General, said Riyaz.
As the police could not reveal a lot of information due to the nature of the case, former Police Commissioner and Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz proposed to continue the meeting behind closed doors. However, the meeting was concluded, with the committee agreeing to conduct a closed door meeting with the the police at a later time.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Mohamed Riyaz
