The Criminal Court has scheduled the sentencing hearing in the case against former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Sham'an Waheed for today at 4:00 p.m.

The hearing was previously scheduled for 21 May but was postponed after his defence lawyer was unable to attend as they were overseas.

The Prosecutor General's Office has filed three charges against Sham'an: participating in bribery, misuse of official position, and money laundering. He has denied all charges.

According to the charges, a conviction for participating in bribery carries a prison sentence of up to three years, two months and 12 days. A conviction for misuse of official position could result in a prison term of up to one year, seven months and six days.

The money laundering charge carries the most severe penalty. If convicted, Sham'an could face a fine ranging from MVR 100,000 to MVR 1 million, or up to five times the amount involved in the offence, as well as a prison sentence of between five and 15 years.

The court is expected to deliver its sentence following today's hearing.