Ismail Sajid, who served as head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) operating under the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), has been dismissed from his position after sexual harassment allegations against him were proven.

The decision to remove Sajid from his position was made after the MMA’s Sexual Harassment Prevention Committee investigated complaints filed against him. The committee concluded that the allegations against Sajid were substantiated and recommended his termination from employment. In accordance with that decision, he has been removed from his position effective today.

Sajid, who assumed leadership of the FIU in August of last year, had been on suspension since December 30th following the emergence of this case. Sajid previously served as a member of the Tax Appeal Tribunal.

The FIU is an important agency established within the MMA to monitor and oversee the Maldives’ financial transactions under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. According to the law, the Governor of the Central Bank has full authority to appoint and dismiss the head of the unit.