Investigative authorities have revealed some 267 individuals received financial benefits from the corruption scandal of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC).
Further information regarding the largest corruption scandal that took place in the recent history in Maldives was revealed at a press conference by President of Presidential Commission on Corruption and Asset Recovery Ahmed Assad, President of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Mariyam Shauna, Commissioner of Police Mohamed Hameed and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Riyaz. They revealed further investigations have shown individuals who have received financial benefits from the scandal is at 267, a number much higher than initially reported by the authorities.
The individuals who have received financial benefits from the scandal include 44 former parliamentarians, 16 current parliamentarians, 5 members at independent institutions, 7 officials currently serving at the government, 7 judges and 23 members from the security forces.
Speaking at the press conference, Assad said funds from the scandal were mainly utilised for political benefit and influence, adding huge sums were dispersed for parliamentarians on eve of important votes and appointments. He added the funds embezzled out of MMPRC amounts to over USD 220 million.
Meanwhile, Assistant Police Commissioner Riyaz said the funds were first used in 2014 just before the parliamentary elections. Riyaz said the funds were used in directing party primaries for certain individuals and as bribes for parliamentarians to change political parties. He further said a former police commissioner and a deputy police commissioner have also received funds from the scandal. He added all individuals who have received funds may not have been part of the scandal.