Ex-Immigration chief appeals remand order

Former Immigration Controller Shamaan Waheed remains in custody pending trial, following a High Court decision last week that upheld a remand order issued by the Criminal Court. However, Shamaan has now appealed the High Court’s decision, with the case currently under review.

Shamaan, who was dismissed from his post following serious bribery allegations, was arrested on March 22. He was initially remanded in custody for 15 days. Last week, the Criminal Court extended that remand until the conclusion of his trial.

According to the High Court registry, Shamaan filed an appeal on Thursday against the extended custody order. The court has not yet ruled on accepting the matter.

This is not the first time Shamaan has challenged his detention. He previously appealed the initial 15-day remand in the High Court. Although the court’s registrar initially rejected the case, that decision was later overturned by a jury panel, allowing the appeal to be heard.

Alongside him, four other immigration officers have been arrested in connection with the case. Police allege that the group misused their positions to raid a residence occupied by foreigners, subsequently detaining them and seizing MVR 530,000 in cash.

Police further allege that one of the foreigners was released the following night under Shamaan’s direct orders and was met on the street by immigration staff, who then took the cash to Shamaan’s residence. A subsequent police search of his home reportedly led to the seizure of a large sum of money and several electronic devices.

Authorities have also seized the mobile phone of Shamaan’s wife, Hidfa Faiz, as part of the investigation. Additionally, police have confiscated the passports of two other individuals, though their identities have not been disclosed.