Former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed has appealed to the High Court against a 25-year prison sentence imposed by the Criminal Court.

Shamaan was sentenced on 9 June this year after being found guilty of two counts of bribery, two counts of abuse of official position and one count of money laundering. The court imposed 15 years’ imprisonment for money laundering, eight years for bribery and two years for abuse of official position.

The case relates to allegations that Shamaan abused his authority to obtain illicit payments from foreign workers. He was arrested on 22 March last year and later charged over his alleged involvement in an immigration raid conducted without the required authorisation.

The prosecution alleged that Shamaan instructed immigration officers to collect MVR 500,000 from a foreign national, who was detained during the operation and later released after a document was allegedly falsified. The State also alleged that Shamaan received MVR 400,000 of the money, some of which was used to repay two student loans.

Shamaan’s lawyer, Nooruh Salam, disputed the prosecution’s account, arguing that the raid was initiated by another officer after information was received about suspected illegal business activity. He also maintained that the money found at Shamaan’s residence was lawfully obtained and that the foreign currency was intended for medical treatment abroad.

The lawyer further challenged the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses and the circumstances surrounding the investigation. The High Court has yet to confirm whether it will hear the appeal.