Former President Abdulla Yameen refused to accept a formal police summons served at his residence, H. Dhoovehi, yesterday, regarding public claims he made about the December 12, 2024 fire at the Green Building complex on Ameenee Magu.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) said officers attempted to hand over the notice following Yameen’s assertions about the blaze, which damaged three government ministries and Malé City Council offices. Declining to accept the summons, Yameen instead responded in writing through his lawyer, Hamza Abdul Latheef, stating he holds no information beyond public reports and sees no purpose in attending police questioning.
The police inquiry was launched after Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan directed officers to clarify Yameen’s remarks made at a People’s National Front (PNF) rally on Thursday. During the event, Yameen alleged the fire was deliberately set, asserting that authorities were aware of the perpetrator’s identity and held evidence proving arson. Minister Ihusaan instructed police to obtain clarification and follow up on any credible details, noting that a prior joint forensic investigation with international experts had concluded the blaze was caused by an electrical wiring fault rather than arson.
In the written response delivered to the Police Commissioner, Yameen’s legal counsel clarified that the former president holds no evidence to further the investigation, citing Yameen directly: “Even in a public venue, my client has stated that as this is a matter investigated by the police, the cause of that incident would only be known to the Maldives Police Service.” Because only law enforcement would be privy to the actual findings, the defense argued that compelling his physical attendance serves no practical purpose.
The Maldives Police Service re-confirmed that the Ameenee Magu fire was caused by an electrical short circuit, directly refuting the arson claims. MPS said that the investigation revealed no evidence of criminal intent or individual criminal liability, and concluded by urging public figures to refrain from spreading unverified statements that undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies.
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