Man serving 109-year sentence transferred to house arrest for medical treatment

Hussain Shifau, who was sentenced to 109 years in prison last year over a scheme involving fraudulent telegraphic transfer documents, has been temporarily transferred to house arrest on medical grounds.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusaan confirmed the transfer during a press conference at the President’s Office on Tuesday.

Shifau was convicted of using fraudulent documents and deception in transactions involving overseas companies through Kingdom of Fruits, a business registered with the Economic Ministry.

The case involved importing goods from overseas companies and producing fraudulent documents purporting to show that payments had been transferred to the suppliers.

In addition to the 109-year prison sentence, the Criminal Court ordered Shifau to pay MVR 7 million as compensation.

Ihusaan said the Prisons and Parole Act allows prisoners to be temporarily transferred from prison under certain circumstances, including where they require medical treatment that cannot be provided in prison and a doctor recommends treatment at another location.

Shifau has initially been transferred to his home for one month, the minister said. If his condition does not improve, the arrangement may be extended by a further two months.

Ihusaan said authorities would monitor whether Shifau complies with the conditions imposed on his house arrest. If he breaches those conditions, he will immediately be returned to prison.

The state prosecuted Shifau on 23 charges: nine counts of knowingly submitting false documents, seven counts of fraud and seven counts of money laundering. He was convicted on all 23 charges.

According to the charges, Shifau committed the offences by producing and submitting fraudulent documents purporting to show that payments had been made for goods purchased from various overseas companies.

The case was filed at the Criminal Court on 27 April 2023. The court delivered its judgment against Shifau on 18 December 2025.