The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has announced its intention to appeal the acquittal of Abdulla Maumoon, former Managing Director of Maldives Gas Private Limited, on five charges related to a high-profile bribery case.
On April 18, 2024, the state filed charges in the Criminal Court against Abdulla Maumoon, several of his family members, and various companies allegedly linked to him, following an investigation into corrupt practices.
The PGO initially sought convictions on seven counts under the Prevention and Prohibition of Corruption Act and the Penal Code of the Maldives. These included charges of accepting bribes in connection with state affairs, using official position to obtain and provide undue advantages, attempting to commit an offense, soliciting an offense, conspiracy to commit an offense, and the illicit use of official authority for personal gain.
According to the PGO, investigations revealed that during his tenure as Managing Director, Maumoon illicitly received a total of MVR 3,106,189.38 (three million, one hundred and six thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine Rufiyaa and thirty-eight Laari) as bribes. This sum was allegedly facilitated through transactions involving the procurement of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from a foreign company. The investigation further noted that these funds were deposited into bank accounts belonging to his family members and companies with which he maintained close ties.
Despite the seven charges filed by the PGO, the Criminal Court recently ruled that five of those charges were not proven. The PGO expressed concerns regarding this judgment, suggesting that the court failed to adequately consider the evidence presented and that the decision may be inconsistent with established legal and judicial principles.
Consequently, the PGO has stated its intent to challenge these five acquittals in the High Court of the Maldives. A final determination on the appeal will be made once the PGO receives and reviews the comprehensive trial report from the Criminal Court.
It is noteworthy that on September 29, 2024, the Criminal Court found Abdulla Maumoon guilty on two counts of bribery. For these offenses, he was sentenced to 12 years, 9 months, and 18 days in prison.
