Fifth Immigration official arrested in corruption probe
Last week, police raided Shamman's residence and recovered more than MVR 500,000.
Another employee of Maldives Immigration was arrested Sunday in an ongoing investigation into alleged extortion involving foreign workers.
The total number of immigration officials arrested in the case has now risen to five.
Police are investigating allegations that several immigration officials, including the first Immigration Controller under the current administration, Mohamed Shamman Waheed, used their positions to extort money from foreign workers. Shamman and three others had been arrested earlier in connection with the case.
Police confirmed that the latest arrest was made under a court order. The individual was identified as Ahmed Lassaan, 40, of M. Hazaareevilla.
Authorities have released the names of all those arrested in the case:
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Shamman, 36, of G. Litonia
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Lassaan, 40, of M. Hazaareevilla
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Mohamed Alsan Ismail, 21, of Moonimage/Th. Buruni
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Ibrahim Ahmed, 37, of G. Happyside
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Hassan Saheshan, 47, of G. Happyside
Last week, police raided Shamman's residence and recovered more than MVR 500,000. He was arrested the following night and remanded in custody for 15 days.
Shamman is accused of securing the release of a foreign national arrested with a large sum of money and extorting more than MVR 500,000 from the individual in return.
