Male: Former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has accused the government of using the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to suppress opposition politicians, after three ministers from his administration were summoned for questioning.
Solih made the remarks after former Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer, Economic Development minister Fayyaz Ismail, and Education Minister Dr Aishath Ali were asked to appear before the ACC next week in connection with ongoing investigations.
He said the summons come at a time when “the independence of state institutions has been undermined,” describing the move as an attempt to silence dissent.
“The injustice in the political scene in Maldives is a very bad act designed to silence the voice of the people and push back opposition politicians,” Solih said.
“We know how this happened in the past. Unfair investigations and political verdicts will tarnish the whole country.”
Solih urged state leaders to “refrain from such practices and promote justice, equality and the rule of law.”
Fayyaz Ismail is being investigated over allegations related to a 2019 Dispute Resolution Committee case, in which he is accused of abusing his position to award inadequate compensation to Swift Engineering and granting the company an undue benefit.
ACC claims the state acted “contrary to its own interests” in the matter.
Swift Engineering is owned by Saudhulla Hilmee, the People’s National Congress (PNC) MP for Thinadhoo North.
Ameer is also believed to have been summoned in connection with the same investigation. He has denied any wrongdoing, saying he did not use his official position to cause harm to the state.
The purpose of summoning former Education Minister Aishath Ali remains unclear. However, police began investigating her last year over the alleged deletion of official emails from her government account in the final days of the previous administration.
According to the Education Ministry, while emails from other former ministers remain archived, Aishath Ali’s official account contained no records. Before the police launched the inquiry in July 2023, she wrote on Facebook that someone had attempted to access her email account.
