Ex-Immigration Controller Shamman released from custody

Criminal Court has ordered the release of former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamman Waheed, who was jailed pending the outcome of his trial on major corruption charges.

Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO), on Thursday, said it had requested the Criminal Court to grant Shamman conditional release, arguing that the risk of him influencing evidence had diminished since witness testimonies in his trial have been completed.

Criminal Court has released Shamman following the prosecution’s request.

However, he was released after withholding his passport as his corruption trial is still ongoing.

Shamman was arrested on March 21^st alongside several other Immigration officers for abusing their authority to obtain money from migrants.

Police has said it had collected plausible evidence to reasonably prove Shamman’s offenses, and noted that the over half million in Maldivian currency discovered in the former Controller General’s home was misappropriated from an expatriate released from Immigration’s detention on his order.

He has been charged with complicity in robbery, misuse of official capacity and money laundering.

The charges, if proven, carry hefty prison. In this regard, complicity in robbery is punishable by three years, two months and 12 days in prison; misuse of official capacity is punishable by one year, seven months and six days in prison and money laundering is punishable by five to 15 years in prison alongside a fine up to five times the sum used in the offense

Shamman’s family has alleged he was arrested to thwart any attempts of the former Immigration Controller General publicly exposing corruption cases involving Home Minister Ali Ihusan. The family claims Minister Ihusan initiated efforts to arrest Shamman after coming to knowledge that Shamman had a ‘video’ of the Minister. However, the family did not detail specifics of the said video.

According to the family, Minister Ihusan has committed numerous acts of corruption in running the Home Ministry and overseeing Maldives Immigration.

The family said Shamman brought the allegations to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s attention, despite which no action was taken.

The government has denied these claims.