The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the regime of President Mohamed Muizzu of using the anti-corruption watchdog to intimidate senior MDP officials ahead of a rally announced for November 17.
MDP Chairperson and former Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail, former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer and former Education Minister Aishath Ali were summoned to appear before the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
In a statement, the opposition party said the regime was using the independent body for political persecution.
The ACC is summoning MDP officials to investigate compensations for agreements cancelled during the administration of former President Abdulla Yameen. There are reports that more MDP officials will be summoned.
The ACC has accused that corruption is involved in compensating Swift Engineering Private Limited after six contracts were cancelled during the Yameen administration.
“Swift Engineering sought compensation with an agreement that it would not sue the state for financial compensation from two projects if it was awarded work to the value of the other four projects,” the MDP said in a statement.
During the Yameen administration, individuals and businesses were targeted for political reasons. The MDP administration came in 2018 to help find justice and formed the Dispute Resolution Committee in 2018.
The MDP said the compensation was paid in the least harmful manner to the state. The party took over in 2018 with a promise to compensate for the damage caused by the Yameen government.
Swift Engineering owner and ruling People's National Congress (PNC) MP Saudhulla Hilmy has also stated that the compensation arrangement had benefited the state because the company did not claim losses for two projects.
"The documents in the state agencies will show that the [Yameen] government cancelled the agreements signed with Swift Engineering without any legal basis," he stated.
The MDP has called on the government to stop using independent institutions for political reasons. The party also expressed concerns over the targeting of its members to stop political activism.
