Shamaan released from custody

Former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, who had been held in custody pending trial, was released on Thursday following a request by the prosecution.

Shamaan was arrested in March and remanded in custody over allegations that he accepted MVR 500,000 from an expatriate who was released from immigration detention. He had remained in custody for nine months pending trial.

The Criminal Court ordered Shamaan’s release after the prosecution requested that he be freed, citing that witness testimonies had already been taken and the risk of influencing evidence had been reduced to a reasonable level.

The court released Shamaan under conditions, including mandatory court appearances and a ban on leaving the country. He was also ordered not to influence evidence.

The prosecution additionally requested that Shamaan be prohibited from committing further offences while on release. However, Judge Ibrahim Ihusan said refraining from committing crimes is a legal obligation applicable to everyone, noting that the court retains the authority to take separate action should any new offence be committed.

Several others have also been charged in the case. Most of them have since been released from custody.