Police Arrest Additional Immigration Staff in Bribery Investigation
Photo: Maldives Immigration
Police have arrested another Immigration staff member in connection with an ongoing investigation into the alleged abuse of power by Immigration officials to extort undue benefits from expatriate workers.
The latest arrest follows the dismissal of former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shammaan Waheed last Thursday. Police have now disclosed the identities of the Immigration officers involved in the case.
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According to police, the investigation revealed that an expatriate was coerced into handing over MVR 530,000 in exchange for his release from detention. The money was later taken to the building where Shammaan resides.
Initially, three individuals were arrested in relation to the case:
- Mohamed Alsan Ismail, 21, of Moonimaage, Th. Buruni
- Ibrahim Ahmed, 37, of G. Happyside
- Ahmed Shaheshan, 47, of G. Happyside
Shammaan was arrested the following night. On the night of the most recent arrest, police revealed that a fourth individual had been detained under a court order. This individual has been identified as:
- Ahmed Lassaan, 40, of M. Hazaaree Villa
The bribery allegations against Shammaan escalated after the investigation uncovered details about the operation. Police stated that a group of expatriates, carrying large amounts of cash, were detained after their accommodation was searched by Immigration officers.
In a statement, police explained that the operation was carried out by officers from sections outside the Task Force and Risk Management departments, which are responsible for identifying and detaining expatriates living and working illegally in the Maldives. Police described the operation as an abuse of power by those involved.
Police further revealed that one of the detainees was released the day after his arrest, following orders from Shammaan. The officers involved then allegedly met the expatriate on the street, seized the MVR 530,000 in cash, and transported it to Shammaan’s residence.
In connection with the case, police have also seized the phone of Shammaan’s wife, Hidfa Faiz, along with the passports of two other individuals. Shammaan’s wife’s phone and the passports were confiscated under a court order.
Shammaan was arrested on Friday night under a court order on charges of accepting bribes from the expatriate in exchange for his release. A police spokesperson confirmed that the phone of a family member of Shammaan had been seized, and two other individuals had been banned from travel under a court order.
The Criminal Court has since extended Shammaan’s remand for 15 days. The remand of the three other Immigration employees implicated in the case has also been extended.
Police have reiterated that the bribery accusations stem from the abuse of power by Immigration officers who searched expatriate accommodations, detained the workers, and seized cash found on them, including the MVR 530,000 that was later taken to Shammaan’s residence.
