Adhaalath Party Criticises Presidential Pardons of Adeeb and Ziyath

In a statement released yesterday, the Adhaalath Party (AP), expressed its strong disapproval of the release of former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb and former MMPRC Managing Director Abdulla Ziyath. 

The party emphasised its stance against the perceived lack of accountability for those involved in embezzling state property.

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ދައުލަތުގެ މުދަލަށް ބޮޑެތި ޚިޔާނާތް ވީކަމަށް އަމިއްލައަށް އިޢުތިރާފްވެ އެކަމުގެ ކުށް ސާބިތުވެފައިވާ ފަރާތްތަކަށް ޙައްޤު އަދަބު ނުލިބި ދިޔުމަކީ މި ޕާޓީއިން ބަލައިގަންނަ ކަމެއް ނޫން.— Adhaalath Party (@AdhaalathOffice) November 14, 2023

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih granted pardons to Adeeb and Ziyath on Monday, sparking controversy over the decision to release individuals implicated in the MMPRC corruption scandal. 

Adeeb and Ziyath had been sentenced to 20 and 32 years in prison, respectively, as part of plea agreements with the state. Despite these sentences, the government had placed both individuals under house arrest, raising concerns and criticism from the public.

Critics have pointed out the perceived contradiction within the ruling coalition, as AP, part of the government, expressed dissatisfaction with a decision made by the same government. Some members of the public have gone further to suggest that the government is facing internal challenges, characterising Adhaalath’s statement as a wake-up call after a period of inactivity.

The controversy surrounding Adeeb and Ziyath is rooted in the MMPRC corruption scandal during former President Abdulla Yameen’s administration. 

More than MVR 3.2 billion, derived from the lease of islands and lagoons, was misappropriated from the state, funneled into private accounts, and used for political influence. 

President Solih, who assumed office in 2018, pledged to investigate the scandal and recover stolen funds. However, as his term approaches its end, the state has yet to reclaim any misappropriated funds.