Bank of Maldives (BML) CEO Karl Stumke has departed from the Maldives amid a police investigation into allegations that a professional decision made by the bank's board to suspend dollar transactions from Rufiyaa accounts was a "financial coup."
A reliable source told Adhadhu that Karl departed yesterday for Dubai.
"He went to Dubai because his family lives there," the source said.
Police announced on the night of August 26 that they were investigating the allegations that BML and the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had attempted to overthrow the government in a financial coup on August 25.
"We are working to gather all necessary information and studying all factors in detail. for the investigation. In addition, all necessary steps are being taken to identify if there is anyone who should be punished and other matters related to the investigation," police said in a message to media.
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The changes to the card limits were announced on August 25. The decision sparked concern as Maldivian students studying abroad and those seeking medical treatment overseas faced sudden difficulties. The government pressured the decision to be reversed that evening.
President Muizzu had alleged that the attempted financial coup was planned ahead.
"What was done, anyone with common sense would know that all these dots are connected, what was done is, just as Shiyam [Minister Shiyam] also pointed out, it was an attempted coup, by whoever was behind it," he said.
However, a week after the alleged coup, police have not revealed whether any suspects were questioned or any buildings have been searched in the investigation.
"The police have, so far not stated that they suspect any person or accused any person of involvement. The police will disclose that information. It is my understanding that the police have not concluded any person is a suspect,"Home Minister Ali Ihusan said at a news conference on Thursday.
The government tried to push the narrative that a coup attempt was happening on Sunday after the national bank's decision on Sunday. Several journalists said President's Office Communications Minister Ibrahim Khaleel instructed their outlets to push that narrative. A top government official told Adhadhu that the government was the first to characterize the events of Sunday as a coup attempt.
