Ex-Immigration Controller Shamman Appeals 25-Year Prison Sentence

Former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamman Waheed has appealed a 25-year prison sentence handed down by the Criminal Court, with the case now submitted to the High Court for consideration.

The High Court has not yet determined whether the case meets the procedural requirements for formal acceptance.

Prosecutors brought three criminal charges against Shamman following allegations that Immigration officers extorted MVR 500,000 from a foreign national after releasing the individual from custody, later delivering the money to Shamman’s residence.

The Criminal Court found Shamman guilty on all three counts: complicity in extortion, abuse of official position, and money laundering, imposing a combined sentence of 25 years.

The sentence breakdown includes:

• Money Laundering: 15 years imprisonment
• Complicity in Extortion: 8 years imprisonment
• Abuse of Official Position: 2 years imprisonment

The court ordered that the nine months and 10 days Shamman spent in pre-trial detention during the investigation and judicial proceedings be deducted from his total prison term.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Shamman was fined MVR 500,000 and ordered to return the extorted MVR 500,000 to the victim within three months.

Furthermore, the court ordered the state confiscation of MVR 125,000 from the funds seized at Shamman’s home. During the investigation, authorities had seized MVR 200,000 and USD 10,000 (valued at approximately MVR 154,000) from his residence.