The High Commissioner of Maldives to the United Kingdom Dr Farah Faizal on Wednesday shut down the rumours that former Minister of Tourism Ali Waheed was residing with the Deputy High Commissioner Naushad Waheed.
Speaking out on Twitter refuting an article written by local publication Dhiyares News, Dr Farah said that this was “absolutely 100% fake news”.
She called out the newspaper, for attempting to smear the Deputy HC and the whole Maldives High Commission team in London.
Waheed was sacked on July 9, 2020, marking the first time a cabinet minister was fired over allegations of sexual abuse after he failed to tender his resignation as per the order.
During a press conference held on July 16, 2020, Chief Inspector Mariyam Azma revealed that the sexual harassment case against the former minister was formally lodged on July 9, after which the police collected statements from a total of 15 individuals.
The Prosecutor General’s Office filed seven charges against Waheed:
- One count of sexual abuse under article 16 of the Sexual Offences Act (17/2014)
- One count of attempted rape under article 15 of the Sexual Offences Act (17/2014)
- One count of indecent exposure under article 132 of The Constitution of Maldives
- One count of sexual harassment under article 18 of the Sexual Offences Act (17/2014)
- One count of attempted sexual abuse under article 19 of the Sexual Offences Act (17/2014)
- Two counts of unlawful sexual contact under article 81 and 412 of Maldives Penal Code 9/2014.
However, he has denied all charges levied against him.
Waheed left the country after his passport was released due to a medical emergency. Though he was set to return in early June as the four-month period granted for his medical treatment expired, he had not returned. It was later revealed that he informed the Criminal Court that his treatment was not complete, with documents supporting the claim.
