Former Immigration Controller Ordered to Remain in Custody Until Conclusion of Trial
The former Controller of Immigration, Shamman Waheed, has been ordered to remain in custody until the conclusion of his trial, following allegations of extortion involving foreign nationals.
Shamman was dismissed from his position and taken into custody on 22 March after allegations of bribery surfaced. His initial 15-day remand period expired on Sunday.
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The Maldives Police Service confirmed that Shamman was presented before the court earlier on Sunday, where a fresh remand order was issued to detain him for the duration of the legal proceedings.
As part of the investigation, police have seized the mobile phone of Shamman’s spouse, Hidfa Faiz. Authorities have also confiscated the passports of two individuals whose identities have not been made public.
In connection with the same case, four other officers from the Department of Immigration have also been arrested. Police allege that these officers abused their official authority to search a residence occupied by foreign nationals, detaining several individuals in the process.
It is alleged that the detained foreign nationals were taken into immigration custody, along with MVR 530,000 in cash. One of the detained individuals was released the following night, reportedly on Shamman’s instruction. According to police, the released individual was later met on a public street and escorted to Shamman’s residence, where the cash was handed over.
Police also report that a substantial amount of cash and several electronic devices were recovered from Shamman’s residence during the investigation.
