The Criminal Court has sentenced former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed to 25 years in prison after finding him guilty of money laundering.

Shamaan was charged with two counts of bribery, two counts of abuse of official position, and one count of money laundering. The court ruled that all charges had been proven.

In addition to the 15-year sentence for money laundering, the court imposed an eight-year prison term for bribery and a two-year sentence for abuse of official position.

The case stems from allegations that Shamaan used his position to obtain unlawful benefits from foreign workers. He was arrested in March last year following a police investigation into alleged corruption within the immigration system.

According to the prosecution, Shamaan was involved in the release of a detained foreign national and the collection of MVR 500,000 in exchange for favourable treatment. Prosecutors also alleged that part of the money was later used in transactions intended to conceal its origin.

During the trial, the state presented extensive evidence and witness testimony. Shamaan’s defence denied the allegations, arguing that the actions in question were carried out by other immigration officers and that the funds found in his possession were obtained legally.

Following the court’s verdict, Shamaan became one of several individuals convicted in connection with the high-profile corruption investigation involving immigration officials.