Gasim’s Villa Shipping sued to recover MVR75 million

The revenue authority is suing Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Shipping group for the recovery of unpaid taxes and fines worth MVR75 million (US$4.8 million).

The new lawsuit comes as the Maldives Inland Revenue Authority (MIRA) and several Villa Group companies remain entrenched in a lawsuit filed by MIRA to recover more than MVR2.5 billion (US$166 million) allegedly owed to the state in unpaid rent and fines.

The new suit, which was accepted and registered at the Civil Court, covers the recovery of tourist goods and services tax, green tax, goods and services tax and fines, according to Mihaaru.

In August 2017, Villa Group insisted that the company and its subsidiary companies did not owe any money to the state, accusing MIRA of trying to “discredit the companies and damage the businesses”.

While the cases continue in court, Gasim is in Germany after fleeing the Maldives on medical leave while serving a three-year jail term after being convicted of bribery.