Former Immigration Controller Appeals High Court Decision on Continued Detention
Former Controller of Immigration Shamaan Waheed | Photo: Maldives Immigration
Former Controller of Immigration Shamaan Waheed remains in custody pending trial, after the High Court upheld a remand order issued by the Criminal Court.
However, Shamaan has now appealed the High Court’s decision, and the case is currently under review.
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Shamaan was arrested on 22 March following serious allegations of bribery. He was initially remanded for a 15-day period, which was later extended by the Criminal Court until the conclusion of his trial. The High Court upheld this extended remand last week, prompting the latest appeal.
According to the High Court registry, the appeal against the continued custody order was filed on Thursday. The court has yet to decide whether it will accept the case.
This is not the first attempt by Shamaan to challenge his detention. He previously contested the initial remand order in the High Court. While the court’s registrar initially declined to proceed with that case, the decision was subsequently overturned by a jury panel, allowing the appeal to move forward.
In connection with the same investigation, four other immigration officers have also been arrested. Police allege that the group exploited their official positions to carry out a raid on a residence occupied by foreign nationals. During the operation, the individuals were detained, and MVR 530,000 in cash was confiscated.
Authorities further allege that one of the foreign nationals was released the following night on Shamaan’s direct orders. Immigration staff reportedly intercepted this individual on the street and transported the seized cash to Shamaan’s residence. A subsequent police search of the property is said to have resulted in the discovery of a large sum of money and multiple electronic devices.
As part of the broader investigation, the police have also seized the mobile phone of Shamaan’s wife, Hidfa Faiz. In addition, the passports of two other individuals have been confiscated, although their identities have not been disclosed.
