Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has stated the government will protect the rights of the people without being cruel and unjust to anyone.
The home minister made the remarks after the Criminal Court of the Maldives sentenced former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb to 20 years in prison for his role in the embezzlement of state funds through Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) during 2014 and 2015.
Recalling the 2015 May Day Protests, Home Minister Imran said the main call throughout the protests was for the government to not misappropriate public funds and to protect the rights of the people. The minister said the sentence handed out to the former vice president is a clear indicator that justice is finally being served for the crimes which had been committed by senior officials of the previous administration. He added the current government will ensure the rights of the people are protected, without being cruel or unjust to anyone.
Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb was sentenced to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to seven charges, including two charges for participating in embezzlement of state funds, two charges for money laundering, two charges for influence peddling and one charge for illicit use of an official position. Adeeb pleaded guilty to the charges in accordance to the confession agreement made between him and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
During the first hearing of the trial, Adeeb said he carried out the MMPRC scandal under the instructions of former President Abdulla Yameen. Adeeb said he decided to cooperate with the state in order to facilitate the return of funds which were embezzled through MMPRC. He noted the vital information regarding the scandal will not be available unless he discloses the details.