The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has revealed that it has so far concluded 25 cases related to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) corruption scandal. The statement was made by President of ACC Adam Shamil in a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Independent Institutions.
At the meeting, Shamil said the new members of ACC have concluded 13 cases related to the MMPRC corruption scandal while 12 cases are in the final stage of investigation. He detailed that some cases have been forwarded for prosecution while instructions have been given out to recover funds in other cases. He added that eight cases are in duty prosecution and that 25 cases have been concluded in total, which include the recovery of USD18 million.
The investigation of the MMPRC scandal is one of the highest priorities of the ACC. The case involves the largest embezzlement of state funds in the history of the Maldives, with investigations suggesting that the total amount embezzled is over USD220 million. The Parliament of the Maldives publicised a list of 281 beneficiaries of the corruption scandal, including 119 state officials, and 16 parliamentarians. Former President Abdulla Yameen, former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb, and former Managing Director of MMPRC Abdulla Ziyath were convicted over their involvement in the scandal.