Former Controller Shamaan stripped of certain prison benefits
Following his conviction and sentencing on three criminal charges, Maldives Correctional Service has revoked several special privileges previously afforded to former Controller of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed. Under the "special protection" protocol typically granted to high-ranking former state officials in custody, Shamaan's air-conditioned cell has been dismantled and his family visitation rights have been restricted. These administrative changes follow the court's verdict finding him guilty of robbery, money laundering, and abuse of power.
Former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed speaking to press. | Raajje MV
Former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan has been stripped of several benefits he was entitled to receive while in prison.
Shamaan was sentenced to prison on Tuesday after being found guilty of the charges brought against him. The state had filed three charges against him: robbery, abuse of official authority, and money laundering. During Tuesday's hearing, Presiding Judge Ibrahim Ihsan ruled that the prosecution had successfully proven all charges against the defendant.
He is currently serving his sentence at Maafushi Prison. However, as a former high-ranking state official, he is entitled to special privileges within the correctional facility. Despite this, some of these privileges have now been revoked.
Speaking to RaajjeMV on the condition of anonymity, a corrections officer revealed that the air conditioning unit was removed from Shamaan’s cell sometime on Wednesday. The officer further noted that while Shamaan was previously granted two visitations per week during his period of detention, following his sentencing, this has been restricted to just one visit per month.
According to Section 6(b) of the regulations governing the treatment of detainees and prisoners entitled to special protection, such measures must be provided to any individual who has served as a State Minister, Deputy Minister, or in any equivalent capacity at any point in time.
According to Section 7 of the regulation, individuals designated for special protection must be accommodated in units specifically allocated for that purpose. The regulation further stipulates that these units must provide a room for every two individuals, and each room must be air-conditioned and feature an attached bathroom.
Furthermore, Section 13(a) of these regulations stipulates that inmates or detainees must be granted the opportunity to meet with their families within the prison premises for one hour, once or twice a week.
