Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) has cleared all debt owed to the national airline, Maldivian.
PPM paid USD 245,860 to Maldivian for the campaign trips made during the presidential election in 2018. Although the Civil Court of Maldives ordered PPM to settle the payment within 15 days, the party made the payment three months later.
While the total cost of the trips made during the presidential election amount to USD 310,560, PPM initially paid USD 64,700 after the issue first surfaced in social media. Following the failure of payments after several months, Maldivian filed a court case against PPM. Civil court issued the verdict against PPM on February 3.
It is believed the payment was made once civil court commenced the implementation process over failure to abide by court order. PPM has said the payments were overdue as allowances to the party were not released from the state.
The state has released the previously withheld USD 556,420 to PPM last month.