Former Maldives Immigration Chief Shamaan Waheed Jailed for 25 Years for Ordering Arrest & Deportation of Sri Lankan Father Married to Maldivian Woman
Court convicts Shamaan Waheed on three counts—robbery, abuse of official authority, and money laundering—in connection with the unlawful detention and deportation of a Sri Lankan national, separating him from his Maldivian wife and daughter.
MALE, Maldives – Former Controller of Immigration Shamaan Waheed has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after the state successfully prosecuted him for ordering the arrest and deportation of a Sri Lankan citizen who was married to a Maldivian woman and had a young daughter in the Maldives. During Tuesday's hearing, Presiding Judge Ibrahim Ihsan ruled that the charges against Shamaan—including robbery, abuse of official authority, and money laundering—had been proven. The court heard that Shamaan abused his position to detain the Sri Lankan father and forcibly deport him back to Sri Lanka, effectively dismantling his family. In addition to the prison term, Shamaan was ordered to pay 500,000 Rufiyaa in restitution to the victim and a further 500,000 Rufiyaa fine for money laundering, with the court also ordering the forfeiture of assets seized from his residence.
The message to corrupt officials anywhere in the region should be clear: mistreating foreign visitors, especially Sri Lankan Citizens, demanding bribes, or abusing public office can carry consequences far beyond national borders.
During the administration of former Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, a Sri Lankan traveller allegedly faced harassment and demands for improper payments from immigration officials while visiting the Maldives. What followed, according to political circles, demonstrated how interconnected South Asian networks can be. The episode serves as a reminder that public officials must act lawfully and professionally when dealing with foreign nationals. Small states and large states alike depend on mutual respect, diplomatic goodwill, and adherence to the rule of law. Any official who abuses their position risks attracting scrutiny, reputational damage, and unexpected political consequences.