Ismail Sajid, the former head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) at the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), said on Saturday that allegations of sexual harassment against him were false and claimed his dismissal last week was unlawful.
In a statement, Sajid said a sexual harassment complaint had been submitted to an internal committee at the MMA. He said the committee ruled against him despite what he described as clear falsehoods and conflicts within the complaint.
He said the complainant failed to provide sufficient evidence and alleged the case contained definite lies. Sajid added that a close review of the matter would show that the MMA acted illegally.
“Anyone who has looked into the details of this case will know that the action taken against me lacked any legal basis,” he said.
Sajid also suggested that his removal may have been driven by discomfort with his position as head of the FIU. He said if there were issues with him holding the post, he should have been asked to resign directly rather than being subjected to what he described as defamation.
The MMA has not publicly responded to Sajid’s claims.
Sajid was suspended about a month ago, according to media reports, with no official explanation provided at the time. The central bank did not disclose the reason for the suspension or its expected duration.
He had been appointed on 3 August following a restructuring at the MMA, replacing Abdulla Ashraf. Ashraf was removed less than 24 hours after a FIU report was leaked, which alleged corruption and unjust enrichment by MP Ibrahim Shujau, a close associate of President Mohamed Muizzu.
The FIU operates under the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act. The unit monitors financial transactions for links to criminal activity and works with relevant agencies to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing.