Files released by the US Justice Department have revealed that former President Mohamed Waheed planned to develop a luxury private island with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In an email in 2014, Waheed proposed to develop Raa Fuggiri as a private island for the world's wealthy and influential figures. This was after his presidential election defeat in 2013.
The millions of files released include eight documents with Waheed's conversations with Epstein.
Waheed first communicated with Epstein about two separate projects involving the development of five islands on May 25, 2014.
He revealed plans to develop Fuggiri as a VVIP island with 10 villas. He shared photos of the island with Epstein, saying it could be sold to Middle Eastern royal families and Russian tycoons.
In response to the emails, Epstein questioned the estimated cost of the projects and expressed interest in visiting the Maldives on Waheed's invitation. But it is unclear if he travelled to the country.
The files also revealed that Waheed and his son, Jeffrey Salim Waheed, met with Epstein in his New York home in 2014 and on other occasions, years after the allegations against him first surfaced.
Waheed also sought political advice from Esptein for his 2013 presidential bid. He lost the election with just five percent of the vote.
Waheed, who took power after a coup against former President Mohamed Nasheed in 2012, did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment.
Despite his close links with the convicted pedophile, Waheed remains President Mohamed Muizzu's Special Envoy.
Epstien was also accused of running a "vast network" of underage girls for sex. He pleaded not guilty. He reportedly took the girl to his private island, Little St. James, in the US Virgin Islands.
But he died by suicide in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited his trial on sex trafficking charges.
