Sun, sand and politics: How tourism tycoons influence elections in the Maldives

Maldives tourism is politicised partly because of how it emerged.

Villa scion Siyad Gasim released from custody

Siyad Gasim is the son of a wealthy and influential opposition leader.

Villa Group accused of bribing top judges

The conglomerate, owned and run by self-exiled Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim, is said to have for paid for luxury Malaysian properties for two top judges.

Maldives tax authority drops Villa lawsuits

Villa Group’s bank accounts were unfrozen on Wednesday, having been frozen, unfrozen then frozen again in recent years.

Let it go: Villa Group bank accounts no longer frozen

Villa Group has experienced several setbacks since the Jumhooree Party split with the ruling coalition and allied itself with the opposition.

Gasim’s Villa Group scores Supreme Court win

The ruling could lead to the unfreezing of Villa’s assets and accounts and is some good news for the group, which has experienced several setbacks in recent years.

Villa resorts running out of booze

The alcohol importing license for all Villa holiday properties, except Royal Island Resort, was revoked last year. Villa had been importing alcohol to Royal and transferring the stock to its other resorts.

Villa Group slammed by Tourism Ministry

Villa Group was the target of customs and police action earlier this month, with alcohol confiscated from four of its properties.

Villa Group under ‘dangerous shadow’ says Gasim

Four Villa resorts have been searched under the suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol released by customs to one of his other holiday properties. The firm has also been accused of owing millions to the state.

Villa Group to sue customs, police officials after raids

Germany cautions citizens following Maldives resort raids

Five properties owned by opposition Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim were raided by authorities on suspicion of illegally possessing alcohol on Wednesday night.

Villa resorts owe $5 million in taxes

Jumhooree Party leader Gasim Ibrahim is in Germany after fleeing the Maldives on medical leave while serving a three-year jail term for bribery. He is also the founder of Villa Group, which owns and manages resorts in the Maldives.

Villa Group goes to court after booze raids

Key opposition leader Gasim Ibrahim is the founder of Villa Group, which owns and manages resorts in the Maldives. The alcohol at his Fun Island resort was confiscated Saturday night following raids on five of his properties.

Concern over investor confidence after appeals court approves seizure of Villa properties

The high court has ruled the government’s seizure of two lagoons leased to Gasim Ibrahim’s Villa Group lawful in a verdict that critics claim was politically motivated and would affect investor confidence in the Maldives.

Under pressure: Yameen accused of targeting business owned by MPs loyal to Gayoom

Yameen is being accused of cracking down on businesses owned by lawmakers loyal to his half-brother, following a renewed bid by the government to seize properties from Gasim’s Villa Group and Saleem’s Red Wave company, and the cancellation of a lucrative contract awarded to a third lawmaker.

Government’s seizure of Villa’s resort properties unlawful, civil court rules

Shortly after Gasim’s Jumhooree Party formed an alliance with the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party in February and launched an anti-government campaign, the tourism ministry terminated the lease agreements of two lagoons and three islands leased to Villa and subsidiary companies for resort development.

Villa Group unable to pay salaries

Government can suspend services to Villa if frozen accounts are empty

Tourism ministry moves to freeze Villa accounts

Gasim’s Villa refuses to pay ‘unlawful’ US$90m fine