Day: April 9, 2015

Immigration staff arrested over passport scam for Syrians

Two Maldivians including an immigration officer have been arrested for helping nine Syrians to leave the Maldives on fake passports two days after they entered the country.

A 25-year-old immigration officer and a former colleague aged 29 were arrested for helping the Syrians, who were thought to be asylum seekers, to leave the country posing as Bulgarians, in exchange for cash.

The Syrians, who include three under-18s, were thought to be trying to reach Europe.

They were apprehended in Qatar after leaving the Maldives and have been sent back to Turkey, from where they started out, said police superintendent Hussain Rasheed in a press conference.

The nine Syrians entered the Maldives on March 27 with valid Syrian passports. Any nationality can secure a tourist visa on arrival.

The group left the country on forged Bulgarian passports two days later on March 29, with the help of the two Maldivians. They were caught with the fake documents at Doha International Airport.

Police investigated the case at the request of the immigration department, and found that the two Maldivians received a large sum of money for the illegal activity, said Rasheed.

Qatari intelligence shared vital information with Maldivian counterparts on the case, including access to the false passports, said Department of Immigration information officer Hassan Khaleel.

The nine Syrians were initially sent back to the Maldives under International Civil Aviation Organisation regulations, which say fake passport holders must be sent back to their last port of departure.

The group have now been flown back to Turkey after being questioned by police, said Superintendent Rasheed.

“We contacted the police to aid us in the investigation. We now have enough evidence to ensure the arrested pair will be sentenced,” said Khaleel.

“Immigration will not hesitate if they see this kind of misconduct from our staff. We have a zero tolerance for this,” warned Khaleel.

Rasheed said police did “not see the Syrians as dangerous”, and that they were believed to be refugees fleeing from the country’s civil war.

“We have received information they were on their way to a country in Europe,” said Rasheed.

“They decided to use Maldives as their transitory port.”

Khaleel said they did not believe that others were involved in the scam, and that they had no evidence that the arrested pair had helped others to use fake documents. This is the first time an immigration officer has been caught helping people to leave the country on forged passports.

Some 90 people, mostly from the Middle East, were caught trying to enter the Maldives on fake passports last year and another 41 this year, said Khaleel.

Meanwhile, two immigration officers were among a dozen Maldivians who travelled to Syria to join the Islamic State militant group earlier this year.

Immigration officers have also been accused of involvement in fraud against low-paid migrant workers. Former high commissioner for Bangladesh Selina Mohsin made the claim in an article for the Dhaka Tribune last week, accusing the department’s staff of helping to to defraud migrants from Bangladesh by making false promises of well-paid jobs.

However, the accusations were denied by the department, which said that its officers would not be at a position to commit this fraud as they do not select the  workers coming to the Maldives.

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Opposition calls for tourism minister asset freeze

The opposition coalition has called for the tourism minister Ahmed Adeeb to face an asset freeze and an investigation over allegations of corruption and bribery.

Defectors from the ruling coalition have in recent weeks accused Adeeb of a series of offences, including using rogue police officers to frame the former defence minister, employing gangs to harass opponents and buying gifts for the First Lady with ill-gotten money.

But Adeeb has dismissed the allegations as defamation. He denies giving first lady Fathimath Ibrahim a car, saying she bought it with her own money.

He was unavailable for further comment at the time of going to press.

Adhaalath Party president Sheikh Imran Abdulla claimed Adeeb was in debt when he first assumed the tourism portfolio in 2012, but was now capable of distributing US$100,000 gifts such as a diamond ring for the first lady.

Addressing Adeeb at the opposition’s daily protest on Monday, Imran said: “You, more than all Maldivians, know you cannot buy all these gifts with your ministerial salary.”

He said individuals seeking an appointment with the tourism minister were asked to pay thousands of dollars, and alleged that Adeeb was taking millions of dollars under the table from investors interested in doing business in the Maldives.

Adeeb’s corruption will “very soon isolate you, make you destitute, without anyone to care for you,” Imran warned.

In response, Adeeb said in a tweet: “It’s funny that anyone who has uttered filth to President Nasheed & MDP in past, now need to shout my name to get MDP’s acceptance and support.”

The Adhaalath Party, which played a key role in president Mohamed Nasheed’s ouster in 2012, allied with his Maldivian Democratic Party after charges of smuggling weapons were brought against former Defence Minister Mohamed Nazim.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years in jail on terrorism while Nazim was sentenced to 11 years in jail last week.

The Maldivians Against Brutality coalition – made up of Adhaalath, MDP, members of the Jumhooree Party (JP) and members of Nazim’s family – today alleged corruption by the government relating to a recent deal to build a new commercial port in the Malé area.

The opposition would not accept such deals, Sheikh Imran said.

MDP chairperson Ali Waheed said the party has conducted a study of the “economic crimes” involved in Thilafushi, and south central Faafu and Dhaalu atolls.

Supporting an asset freeze, MDP spokesperson Imthiyaz Fahmy said Adeeb had hijacked the state’s watchdog institutions to ensure they would not investigate his corruption.

Former auditor general Niyaz Ibrahim was sacked by the PPM after he released a damning report implicating Adeeb in US$6million of corrupt transactions, Fahmy noted.

In the report, Adeeb is accused of funneling money from state companies to a company owned by his family and pocketing money paid by an Italian investor for a resort lease.

In Niyaz’s stead, the PPM appointed a family member of an individual implicated along with Adeeb by the report.

Adeeb at the time dismissed the report as baseless and said Niyaz had been influenced by PPM MP Ahmed Nazim, who he claimed had a personal grudge against him, to write the report.

Nazim was sentenced to life in jail last week over corruption charges in a case dating from 2004.

Fahmy said the government had tied up the hands of judges, the prosecutor general and anti-corruption watchdog by awarding them discounted flats in a luxury apartment complex.

President of the Anti Corruption Commission Hassan Luthfee is now residing in the Rehendhi flats.

When asked if the ACC is investigating any cases involving the tourism minister, the body’s vice president Muaviz Rasheed said it does not comment on specific individuals.

The Auditor General’s Office was not responding to queries at the time of going to press.

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New penal code delayed by three months

Parliament’s national security committee plans to defer by three months the enforcement of the new penal code, which will bring widespread changes to the Maldivian legal system, reports Haveeru.

The penal code is due to come into force on Monday, April 13 but ruling Progressive Party of Maldives MP Jameel Usman told the local daily that he believed more time was needed to raise awareness among the public.

The current penal code was passed in 1966.

Maldivian Democratic Party MP Mariya Ahmed Didi accused the government of delaying implementation of the new code in order to prosecute opposition supporters and mete out harsh punishments under existing laws.

At today’s meeting of the oversight committee, which is dominated by pro-government lawmakers, Usman proposed adding a clause to the penal code to postpone its enforcement.

The oversight committee was reviewing a government-backed bill submitted to bring minor changes to the new penal code ahead of its enforcement. Usman’s clause has been added to the amendment bill after a majority of the committee’s MPs voted in favour.

A sitting of parliament is meanwhile expected to take place on Sunday for voting on the bill. If the legislation is passed, President Abdulla Yameen will have to ratify it on the same day to postpone the implementation.

The revised penal code was passed on April 1, 2014 with a one-year period to prepare institutions for the seminal changes to the criminal justice system.

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Power bill deadline extended amid protests

Fenaka Corporation, the main electricity provider in the atolls, has extended the deadline for businesses to pay their March electricity bills after widespread protests over a subsidy cut.

Businesses and shops in several islands shut down in protest this week after electricity bills for March doubled and in some cases tripled following the removal of government subsidies.

Some have said they will not pay their bills until a new agreement is reached with the state-owned utility company.

Fenaka said in an announcement today that the new deadline is April 30, and businesses who pay by then will not face fines for late payment or disconnection.

However, the announcement warned that businesses will face fines or disconnection of services after May 1.

Businesses in Haa Dhaal Kulhdhuffushi, Gaafu Dhaal Thinadhoo, and Addu City have set up committees to negotiate with the government.

Businesses in Fuvahmulah and Vaikaradhoo are planning to submit a petition to the president demanding a fair price for electricity.

Gahdhoo in Gaaf Dhaal and Thulhaadhoo in Baa atoll meanwhile asked state electricity company Fenaka to pay the island councils for plots of land rented to the company.

Electricity prices are up to 72 percent higher in northern Haa Alif , Haa Dhaal, and Shaviyani Atolls and up to 37 percent higher in Addu City and Fuvahmulah than in Malé City, according to figures from Fenaka.

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Opposition to field single candidate for vacant Majlis seat

The opposition coalition is holding talks to field a single candidate for a vacant parliament seat after the incumbent MP was sentenced to life in jail on corruption charges.

The Elections Commission has scheduled the by-election for the Dhiggaru constituency for June 13. The call for applications will be open from April 15 – 25.

Though the “Maldivians Against Brutality” coalition is made up of parties with vastly different ideologies, they are confident of fielding a single candidate against the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM).

Former PPM partners, the Adhaalath Party and the Jumhooree Party, allied with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party following what they called a government crackdown on opposition politicians including former President Mohamed Nasheed and former defence minister Mohamed Nazim.

The two were sentenced last month to 13 years and 11 years in jail for terrorism and weapons smuggling, respectively.

Meanwhile, JP leader Gasim Ibrahim is facing a US$100million fine that may bankrupt his Villa Group.

Adhaalath spokesperson Ali Zahir and a PPM councilor for of Meemu atoll council Moosa Naseer have expressed interest in standing for the vacant seat.

The former Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim lost his seat on Monday after the Supreme Court convicted him of defrauding the former atolls ministry.

Ex-MP Nazim, a former deputy speaker of the Peoples Majlis was convicted of defrauding the state of MVR 1.4 million (US $91,400) by submitting bids on behalf of non-existent companies to supply 15,000 national flags to the now-defunct atolls ministry.

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Tax authority collects MVR1.2bn in March

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The country’s tax authority collected MVR1.27 billion (US$82 million) in March, up 29 percent from the same period last year.

The Maldives Inland Revenue Authority noted that revenue was 18.8 percent above forecasts thanks to higher tourism goods and services tax (T-GST) receipts following a hike from eight to 12 percent in November.

Revenue also rose from tourist lease rent and the general GST.

A portion of GST payments from February was also collected in March as February 28 fell on a weekend and the deadline was moved to March 1.

Fines collected last month were also nine times higher than March 2014, while payments for resort lease period extension fees also contributed to the revenue growth.

The extension fees were not collected in the corresponding period last year.

GST payments accounted for 58 percent of total revenue collected in March 2015, followed by tourism land rent (22.3 percent), airport service charge (4.2 percent), business profit tax (3.9 percent), and lease period extension fees (3.6 percent).

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Gasim’s Villa denied stay order in court battle

The Villa Group has been denied a stay order on the tourism ministry’s seizure of two lagoons in a court battle that could bankrupt one of the Maldives’ largest companies.

The civil court yesterday rejected a request by Villa, which is owned by opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) leader Gasim Ibrahim, for the stay order, paving the way for the tourism ministry to take control of the lagoons.

Villa Group is currently locked in a series of lawsuits against the state over the seizure of several leased properties as well as a notice to pay US$100 million allegedly owed as unpaid rent and fines.

The opposition claims the government is unfairly targeting Gasim’s business interests following the JP’s split from the ruling coalition. The government denies any political motivation behind the moves.

Villa has filed ten cases at the civil court contesting the tourism ministry’s termination of amended lease agreements as well as the US$100million notice.

The company is seeking stay orders halting the enforcement of the notices until the court decides on its legality.

But in yesterday’s ruling over the termination of lease agreements for the Maadhihgaru and Kanuhuraa lagoons in Kaafu atoll, the court ruled that Villa Hotels will not suffer “irrevocable losses” if the stay order is not granted as the state could compensate the company if the case is concluded in its favour.

The tourism ministry had also terminated lease agreements with Villa for three more islands shortly after the JP formed an alliance with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in early February.

Requests for stay orders in the other cases are still pending. Former Prosecutor General Ahmed Muiz is representing Villa in the lawsuits against the tourism ministry and the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA).

MIRA had initially asked Villa to pay US$100million by late March, but extended the period until mid April.

Gasim has said the government is planning to freeze Villa’s accounts if the company is unable to pay the amount, warning that it would bankrupt the company and leave his 5,000 employees jobless.

In early February, the civil court granted a stay order halting the seizure of the five properties in separate litigation. However, on February 24, the High Court overturned the stay order.

Gasim meanwhile met Supreme Court Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed yesterday following the apex court’s refusal to accept an appeal for the High Court decision.

Gasim told reporters after the meeting that he expressed displeasure with the Supreme Court registrar rejecting the appeal without offering a reason.

The chief justice told him to submit a letter and that matters cannot be settled verbally, Gasim said.

Villa Group is one of the largest companies in the Maldives with the holding company Villa Shipping and Trading Pvt Ltd conglomerate operating businesses in shipping, import and export, retail, tourism, fishing, media, communications, transport, and education.

The three islands and two lagoons at stake in this case were leased as part of a settlement agreement signed with the government in December 2013 after the Supreme Court ordered the state to pay Villa over US$9 million as compensation.

Lagoons are generally leased for purposes of land reclamation for either industrial or tourism purposes.

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Immigration department denies migrant worker fraud

The immigration department has denied accusations by the former high commissioner from Bangladesh that its officers are involved in fraud against low-paid migrant workers.

Selina Mohsin, former high commissioner to the Maldives, in an article for the Dhaka Tribune accused staff in the Maldivian immigration department of helping to to defraud migrants from Bangladesh by making false promises of well-paid jobs.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration  denied Mohsin’s claims in a press statement yesterday.

The department said: “The institution gives approval to any worker who has been certified for employment abroad – within the limits of its quota and in adherence to its guidelines.”

It said that the department is not involved in selecting which overseas workers come to work in the Maldives, and therefore would not be in a position to commit such a fraud.

In her article published on Saturday, Mohsin, who served as high commissioner between 2008 and 2010, said that Bangladeshi workers pay as much as $2,500 to come to the Maldives but find on arrival that these promises are not fulfilled.

She said the workers are abandoned by the companies that sponsor their work permits and forced to find other work, which is often dangerous and badly paid.

“Questionable immigration officers and Bangladeshi brokers work in collusion to bring innocent people from Bangladesh. They are forced to work over 14 hours [per day] with little food and less security,” Mohsin wrote.

“On average, the writer found that one Bangladeshi worker died every week when she was high commissioner.”

Mohsin said that most Bangladeshis find themselves working in construction with no certainty of a salary, living in “inhuman, cramped quarters” without their passports and money.

Her article follows a series of attacks on expatriate workers in the Maldives.

A 25-year old Bangladeshi national, Shaheen Mia, was stabbed to death in a Malé café in March, and a day later another Bangladeshi national identified as Bilal was found dead on the island of Alif Alif atoll Thoddoo, naked with a piece of cloth tied around his neck. Further reports followed of stabbings targeting expatriate workers.

Transparency Maldives, an anti-corruption organisation, has called police to expedite their investigation into Mia’s murder.

Mohsin said that Maldivians “need to be better educated with appreciation of the contribution of expatriate labourers who keep their economy alive. Instead, innocent workers are stabbed and killed.

“Their families in Bangladesh are devastated with indelible tragedy — death of husbands, brothers, and sons.”

The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives has also repeatedly noted prejudice, discrimination, and violence faced by expatriates in the Maldives, calling on authorities to take action.

The current Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Maldives, Kazi Sarvar, on Tuesday met with immigration department heads and said the article was purely Mohsin’s own opinion, not the view of the Bangladeshi government, the department said.

Bangladesh and Maldives will meanwhile assemble a technical team to improve the immigration systems of both countries, the statement added.

Migrant workers had planned a protest following the murders last month, but the department of immigration warned them against participating in protests and threatened to cancel work visas if they did so.

The Bangladeshi High Commission in Malé also opened a 24-hour help line for Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Maldives.

There are over 50,000 expatriate workers in the Maldives, according to the 2014 national census.

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Defence minister acquitted of terrorism

The criminal court has acquitted defence minister Moosa Ali Jaleel of terrorism charges related to the detention of a judge, an incident over which former president Mohamed Nasheed has been jailed for 13 years.

The court said there was insufficient evidence to prove Jaleel’s involvement.

Jaleel, who headed the army during the 2012 military detention of criminal court chief judge Abdulla Mohamed, maintains he had no role or influence in the arrest. He said the post of chief of defence forces had been reduced to a ceremonial position.

Five senior state officials were charged with terrorism and tried separately over the judge’s arrest.

The criminal court on March 13 sentenced Nasheed to 13 years in jail in a trial widely condemned for a lack of due process.

Verdicts in the trials of ex-defence minister Tholhath Ibrahim Kaleyfaanu, ex-colonel Mohamed Ziyad and MP Ibrahim Mohamed Didi, who was the Malé area military commander at the time, are still pending.

Judge Abdulla’s arrest sparked 22 nights of violent anti-government protests, culminating in a police and army mutiny on February 7, 2012. Nasheed resigned on the same day, but later said it was under duress.

Jaleel also resigned as chief of the defence forces then, but in 2014 joined the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives and took on the role of Maldives Ambassador to Pakistan. He was appointed as defence minister in January.

Verdicts in Tholhath, Jaleel and Ziyad’s trials were initially scheduled to be delivered at the same time, but were repeatedly cancelled, and the criminal court finally delivered a verdict only in Jaleel’s trial last night.

Opposition MP Didi’s case did not progress beyond a few hearings as he had to be flown abroad for medical treatment half-way through the trial. He has not yet returned.

The criminal court last night said despite Nasheed’s conviction, there was no evidence to suggest Jaleel’s involvement in the arrest.

During past hearings, Jaleel said he had taken part in meetings between the heads of the police and military at which they discussed challenges posed to law enforcement and domestic security by the criminal court’s alleged release of dangerous criminals and refusal to grant search and arrest warrants to police.

However, Jaleel said that the issue of arresting the chief judge of the criminal court was not raised during any of the meetings.

He also admitted to attending a meeting to discuss the issue with the Supreme Court.

President Abdulla Yameen appointed Jaleel to the cabinet on January 20 shortly after sacking former defence minister Colonel (Retired) Mohamed Nazim, who was recently sentenced to 11 years in jail over weapons smuggling.

On March 8, Jaleel led a motorcycle rally by the PPM calling for a speedy judgment in Nasheed’s case.

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