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High Court requests police to investigate corruption case

High Court of Maldives has requested Maldives Police Services (MPS) to investigate possible bribery requested by judges in settling Hibalhidhoo case.

Hibalhidhoo was awarded to Biznas Maldives Private Limited to develop a resort although the contract was terminated following the discovery of a large cache of weapons on the island.

A statement issued by the High Court on October 27 stated it has submitted the case to MPS after an article published on a local newspaper accused judges of requesting bribery from Biznas Maldives to settle the case in their favour. The statement further explained it was forwarded to MPS as it is a serious corruption issue and the High Court needed to identify who mediated the transaction on behalf of High Court judges and find the phone numbers of the anonymous callers.

The High Court also aims to ascertain the judges who travelled at the expense of Ahmed Adeeb, when he was the tourism minister. The court said it will cooperate with MPS fully in the investigation as public confidence on the judiciary is important. The statement further said such cases must be investigated to ensure public trust in the judiciary.