Maldives snubs claims of violating UN sanctions on North Korea

The Maldivian President's office has issued a statement in the wake former President Nasheed's allegations accusing President Yameen of "violating UN sanctions on North Korea".

"The Maldives will pursue aggressive regulatory action against those who tarnish the good standing and reputation of the nation," noted the official release. 

"The Government of Maldives gives high priority to the implementation of all resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, including the Resolutions on Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea)," the statement further noted. 

Former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed alleged that Yameen allowed the ships to transfer cargo to North Korean ships on the high seas. The former president took to Twitter saying, "It's concerning, but unsurprising, to learn President Yameen is again breaking UN sanctions, this time with North Korea. He's getting Maldives flagged ships to transfer cargo to North Korean ships on the high seas. In the 1990s, Prez Yameen did the same with the Burmese junta."

The release clarified that "the Government of the Republic of Maldives, in no uncertain terms, refutes the assumption that a vessel named Xin Yuan 18 is of Maldivian origin – no such vessel is registered in the country. Further, we condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the use of our National Flag in a manner so as to tarnish the good standing and reputation of our nation and that of our people".

The statement concluded saying that the Maldivian authorities do not allow flag of convenience to foreign-owned vessels to operate outside Maldivian waters.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives confirmed that the vessel ‘Xin Yuan 18’ is not registered in the Maldives.