The ACC referred money laundering charges against MHR Trading, reportedly a family company of former MMPRC managing director Abdulla Ziyath, for prosecution. A joint investigation with police found that between February 2014 and October 2015, SOF cheques totalling US$325,000 were deposited into MHR's account. The money came from revenue owed for islands and lagoons leased for tourism. A further US$50,000, paid to MMPRC as the acquisition cost for Fushidhiggaa in Alif Dhaalu, reached MHR's account through Ziyath. ACC said communications between Ziyath and MHR's managing director showed grounds for the MD to suspect the money was criminal proceeds. The commission is also seeking to recover the money along with profits made from investing it.
Appearing on PSM's Nation Chat programme, President Muizzu said gang-related crime has declined and that anti-drug efforts are showing results. He said the 30-year drug problem requires cooperation across all state institutions and the judiciary, and that the focus is on rehabilitation over punishment, while the gang crime law in force since August has so far led to 11 arrests, searches of six premises and charges in two cases.
President Muizzu dismissed criticism that his Independence Day address was overly political, saying those calling it political were doing so because they could not counter the facts he presented, and that his remarks about MDP governments' pro-Israel foreign policy and closeness to certain countries were verifiable truths rather than partisan attacks.
The Met Office issued white alerts for Haa Alif to Faafu atolls as a trough over the Maldives brought heavy rain, thunderstorms and winds gusting to 40mph nationwide, with conditions expected to worsen on Friday before clearing after Sunday. The rough weather coincides with the end of the school term holiday. Authorities urged those planning to travel by sea to exercise caution.
Nasheed said MDP will never support Israel and will always stand with Palestine, responding to Muizzu's Independence Day claim that MDP governments pursued a pro-Israel foreign policy and distanced the country from Arab and Muslim nations. Speaking at an MDP haruge gathering, he asked who could support Israel given what is being shown on television. He also criticised Muizzu's remarks in March that appeared to encourage bombing the Gulf states. Saying so from a podium bearing the state emblem damaged the country, Nasheed said, naming Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE.
Customs seized 2,231 grams of drugs worth MVR4.4 million at Malé commercial harbour.
A complaint was filed against judge Sofwath Habeeb, who acquitted then-Mayor Muizzu in the Noomadi false testimony case in May 2023, after former police commissioner Hussain Waheed alleged at a PNF rally that Muizzu's lawyer had told him MVR800,000 was paid to the judge. The complaint to the Judicial Service Commission argues the allegation, whether true or false, requires investigation to uphold judicial integrity, and that public officials must not be allowed to make such claims without accountability.
