Local newspaper “Dhiyares” has raised serious allegations of corruption and money laundering against Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi. In a report published in Dhivehi, “Dhiyares” news uncovered a large real estate business operated under Defense Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi’s eldest son’s name in England.

According to “Dhiyares” the information was supplied by a private investigative agency after a request was made to look into possible money laundering activities by the heads of the current administration led by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

“Dhiyares” reported that Mariya Ahmed Didi was conducting the businesses through her eldest son Affaan Abdul Sattar. His father is Mariya Ahmed Didi’s first husband, Abdul Sattar Ali (Sato). Abdul Sattar Ali (Sato) is reported to have been one of the key players behind the notorious FPID corruption scandal in 1990 where a large sum of finance was embezzled from state coffers in 1990. The FPID scandal is the largest corruption scandal in the history of Maldives with over $380,000,000.00 (MVR 5,859,600,000.00) embezzled. Adjusted for inflation this sum would be equivalent to $810,594,950.27 (MVR12,499,374,133.16) today.

They report indicated that Affan Abdul Sattar was the proprietor of at least two high value properties in England. The first property which was bought for £735,000 (MVR 15,314,834.85) in 2010 in Lambeth, London. The 700sqft 5-room property. The area is one of the most luxurious neighborhoods in Lambeth with its close proximity to the waterfront developments. The property is just a 13-minute walk away from the U.S. Embassy in London. According to current market rates the property is valued at £ 1,530,000.00 (MVR 31,869,975.07).

The second property is reported as being located in Stoke-on-Trent (Stoke city). The property was bought at a price of £ 29,000.00 and is currently valued at £ 103,000.00 (MVR 2,145,495.05). The report also contained official documents from public sources as evidence of ownership. According to these documents, Affan Abdul Sattar has registered 2 businesses at this property in Stoke-on-Trent. 15 Temple Road Management Company Limited and Affan Sattar Limited are both registered at this property.

According to “Dhiyares”, both companies are engaged in real estate business. According to British Government, the 15 Temple Road Management Company Limited has a capital of £ 521,000.00 and is reported as a “foreign” company engaged in real estate business. It also noted their annual sales as £ 221,000,000.00 (MVR 4,605,287,228.75). The second company Affan Sattar Limited was registered on 10^th February 2021 as a real estate company.

They also stated that the investigative agency tasked with tracing Minister Maria Ahmed Didi and her family’s properties stated that existing records indicate that a high volume of real estate contracts were done under the name of Affan Abdul Sattar with many of the high value properties bought and sold when Affan Abdul Sattar was young.  They also speculated due to this that it is unlikely that the finances behind the real estate business belonged to Affan Abdul Sttar due to his young age at the time of the purchases.

“Dhiyares” also noted that the property in Lambeth, London was purchased the same year GMR was handed the Velana International Airport under former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration and the Affan Sattar Limited was registered just 10 days ahead of Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi signing the controversial UTF Naval Base agreement with India. In both cases allegations of corruption were raised against both Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi and senior officials of both former President Mohamed Nasheed’s administration and President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s administration.

In response, Minster Mariya Ahmed Didi stated that his son who is over 40, is a qualified lawyer in London and that it is sad to see his career and income linked to Governments amidst a by-election campaign. “Dhiyares” however argued in their report that there was no indication that Affan Abdul Sattar was a practicing lawyer and that his occupation stated with the British Government was “Professional Landlord”.

MNN reached out to Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi but she declined to comment on the subject.