Podesta Group hired to “whitewash” government’s crimes
“Government officials are clearly rattled at the prospect of facing targeted sanctions. But rather than doing the right thing and freeing the political prisoners, they are spending amounts of public money on foreign lobbyists, who will try to whitewash their crimes,” said Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, the MDP’s international spokesman.
28 Sep 2015, 9:00 AM
Washington based Podesta Group was hired by the Maldives government to “whitewash their crimes,” the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has said.
“Government officials are clearly rattled at the prospect of facing targeted sanctions. But rather than doing the right thing and freeing the political prisoners, they are spending obscene amounts of public money on foreign lobbyists, who will try to whitewash their crimes,” said Hamid Abdul Ghafoor, the party’s international spokesman.
A contract published on the US Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) office’s website states that the Podesta Group has been employed for a monthly sum of US$50,000 to “provide strategic counsel on strengthening” the Maldives’ ties to the US government.
Ahmed Sareer, the permanent representative of the Maldives to the UN, signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldives. The contract runs from September 8, 2015 through March 7, 2016.
Become a member
Get full access to our archive and personalise your experience.
Already a member?
Discussion
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!
No comments yet. Be the first to join the conversation!
Join the Conversation
Sign in to share your thoughts under an alias and take part in the discussion. Independent journalism thrives on open, respectful debate — your voice matters.
