Adhurey: If Yameen had stolen from MMPRC, it would have been found out by now

If Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader, former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had stolen from Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), it would have been found out by now, says Abdul Raheem Abdulla (Adhurey), the leader of PPM’s coalition partner People’s National Congress (PNC).

Yameen had been found guilty of laundering USD 1 million embezzled from MMPRC and sentenced to five years in prison in 2019. The Supreme Court overturned the conviction and freed Yameen in in November 2021.

Speaking to Sun regarding Yameen’s previous conviction and the additional money laundering charges against him, Adhurey alleged Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was engaged in continuous efforts to imprison the opposition leader.

Adhurey said that criminals were being turned to state witnesses to get it done.

He said the true criminals behind the MMPRC embezzlement scandal were former vice president Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor and former MMPRC managing director Abdulla Ziyath – both of whom signed plea deals with the prosecution and are now state witnesses.

“Adeeb and Ziyath were investigated by President Yameen’s administration. They were convicted during President Yameen’s administration. The current administration is gathering testimony against President Yameen from them. They are turning all criminals to witnesses to go after President Yameen,” he said.

Adhurey alleged MDP knew well Yameen would be undefeatable if he remained free and was able to contend in the 2023 presidential elections.

He said it was the very reason why MDP wanted to imprison Yameen.

Adhurey said the authorities had yet to arrest any MDP member involved in the MMPRC embezzlement scandal.

“The biggest reason for lack of action against any MDP member of the list of MMPRC is because that’s what they want. That’s what they believe is democracy,” he said.

Adhurey said MDP was democratic in name alone, and did whatever they wanted with impunity every time they came to power.

Adhurey said the current administration was the most corrupt administration in Maldivian history.

He said that the main principle of democracy was upholding the rule of law, which MDP simply did not respect.

“I see them pushing laws to the side and doing whatever they want. Another principle of democracy is listening to the people before making decisions. I don’t see MDP doing that either,” he said.

Adhurey also responded to rumors Yameen’s lawyer, former vice president Dr. Mohamed Jameel Ahmed met with MDP leader, former president Mohamed Nasheed in secret to cut a deal.

Adhurey said he does not believe such a meeting took place.

“I have been informed President Nasheed went with Ali Azim to Ali Azim’s home. President Yameen would not instruct to meet President Nasheed and cut a deal with him,” he said.

Adhurey said Yameen wasn’t someone who kept anything hidden, and did everything openly.

He said the rumors were being spread to quell the support for him.