Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) has denied withdrawing any case or letter filed at investigative authorities.
Sharing the statement issued by FIU on the issue, Spokesperson of MMA Mohamed Nasih revealed all cases within the mandate of the unit will be directly concluded within the unit and MMA plays no role in such issues. Noting that, so far, FIU has filed a total of 137 cases to investigative authorities, Mohamed Nasih assured none of the cases were withdrawn. MMA is only mandated to facilitate financial and administrative work to the unit, if needed, according to the spokesperson.
Financial Intelligence Unit of MMA was established under article 27 of Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act in 2014, with the sole purpose of monitoring and assessing money laundering activities, terrorism financing activities and assets attained illegally.
The statement of FIU came after the comments made by Spokesperson of President’s Office Ibrahim Muaz Ali stating President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom had clarified the matter with the governor of MMA, following a detailed report by Al Jazeera. The report reveals USD 1.5 million was deposited to President Yameen's personal account shortly before the presidential election.