Police Defend Investigation Into Shamman Case

Maldives Police Service has said its investigation into former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamman Waheed was conducted independently and based solely on evidence.

In a statement responding to allegations of political influence, police said the case stemmed from an Immigration operation on March 11, 2025, involving detained expatriates. Investigators allege that Shamman instructed the release of one expatriate based on a request sent in the name of the individual’s sponsor.

Police said evidence gathered during the investigation indicated discussions over a bribe payment of MVR 500,000. Investigators further alleged that two Immigration employees later visited Shamman’s apartment carrying a bag of cash, and that more than MVR 259,000 was deposited into accounts in his name the following day.

The statement also noted that Shamman declined to provide access to his mobile phone during the investigation, despite later claiming it contained evidence related to the case.

Police maintained that all decisions were based on evidence obtained during the investigation and stressed that any challenge to the court’s ruling should be pursued through the legal appeals process.