Authorities fail to find evidence against Maldive Gas' MD Shazail, file case

Authorities have filed the money laundering case against Maldive Gas managing director Shazail Siyam – who has been under suspension since 2019 – after failure to find any evidence against him in the case.

Shazail was investigated for bribery and corruption following complaints lodged against him with the President’s Office whistleblower portal. The case was sent by the President’s Office to the Anti-Corruption Commission, and Shazail was placed under suspension in October 2019.

ACC concluded they found no evidence of corruption, but found that he may have possibly engaged in money laundering in their investigation into the bribery allegation. ACC forwarded the money laundering case to the police in December 2020.

A police spokesperson told Sun this Tuesday that the case has been filed as the police have not found any evidence against Shazail.

Sun has been informed the police made the decision to file the case last March.

ACC forwarded the money laundering case against Shazail to the police as money laundering investigations do not fall within the commission’s legal mandate.

Shazail has served as chairman of Kooddoo Fisheries Maldives, as well as Deputy Fisheries Minister and Deputy Tourism Minister during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

He was appointed managing director of Maldive Gas on January 7, 2019 – on a slot awarded to current government coalition partner – MRM.