PG files charges against ex-Immigration chief, 4 staff
The charges follow an investigation by Maldives Police Service into an incident on 20 March.
The Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has filed criminal charges against five individuals, including former Controller of Immigration, Shamman Waheed, for allegedly using their official positions to exploit expatriate workers.
The charges follow an investigation by Maldives Police Service into an incident on 20 March, where a group of immigration personnel, including Shamman, allegedly conducted an unauthorised operation leading to the arrest of foreign workers and extortion of MVR 530,000 from one individual.
Police submitted the case to the PGO with recommendations to prosecute Shamman and four other immigration staff. The accused are:
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Ibrahim Ahmed, of G. Happy Side
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Ahmed Lassan, of M. Hazaree Villa
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Mohamed Alson Ismail, of Moonimage, Th. Buruni
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Hassan Seheshan, of G. Happy Side
According to the police, the operation was carried out in violation of established immigration procedures. None of the officers involved were part of the authorised task force designated to carry out raid operations.
The PGO has filed the following charges:
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1-
Robbery – Punishable by 3 years, 2 months, and 12 days’ imprisonment.
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2-
Complicity in Robbery – Same sentencing as robbery.
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3-
Misuse of Official Position – Punishable by 1 year, 7 months, and 6 days’ imprisonment.
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4-
Money Laundering – Punishable by 5 to 15 years’ imprisonment and a fine ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 1 million, or up to five times the amount used in the offence.
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5-
Facilitating Money Laundering – Punishable by 2 to 10 years’ imprisonment and a fine between MVR 50,000 and MVR 500,000, or up to five times the amount used in the offence.
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6-
Unauthorised Possession of Property – Punishable by 1 year, 7 months, and 6 days’ imprisonment.
