Shifau’s 109-year prison sentence appeal begins with Suood as lead counsel

High Court has commenced appeal proceedings in the case of Hussain Shifau of M. Honeysuckle-1, who was sentenced to 109 years in prison and fined MVR 7 million for importing goods from foreign companies using fraudulent Telegraphic Transfers (TTs).

Following his conviction on 23 charges, the Criminal Court sentenced Shifau on December 18 last year. His appeal is being represented by a legal team led by former Supreme Court Justice Husnu Al Suood. The appeal is being heard by a High Court bench comprising of Judge Hussain Mazeedh, Judge Dheebanaz Fahmy, and Judge Ismail Shafeeu.

The appeal hearing, which commenced today, was adjourned and will resume tomorrow. Shifau attended the proceedings while remaining under temporary house arrest for medical reasons.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Home Minister Ali Ihsan confirmed that Shifau had been transferred to house arrest for one month under the Prisons and Parole Act to receive medical treatment unavailable within the prison system. The Minister added that the period could be extended depending on Shifau’s medical condition.

The case against Shifau established that he had used his business, “Kingdom of Fruits,” to send forged TTs to international suppliers, fraudulently obtaining goods valued at more than USD 123,000, equivalent to approximately MVR 1.9 million.

Notably, while the legal proceedings against him were ongoing, Shifau was appointed Senior Political Director at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare. However, he was dismissed from the position shortly after the appointment came under public scrutiny.