Police release major statement just one day after Minister Ihusaan requested clarification on Shamaan's case!
Police have asserted that the bribery and money laundering investigation involving former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan was conducted in full compliance with legal procedures. According to authorities, evidence confirms that Shamaan solicited five hundred thousand Rufiyaa in exchange for the release of a foreign national, with a portion of the funds subsequently deposited into his personal account. Consequently, the police dismissed allegations that the case was a politically motivated frame-up, labeling such claims as baseless and false.
Minister of Home Affairs Ali Ihusaan and former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shammaan Waheed. | RaajjeMV
The Maldives Police Service has issued an official statement just one day after Home Minister Ali Ihusan announced that he had requested the authorities to clarify the facts of the matter to the public, following his denial of all allegations leveled against him by former Controller of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed.
Regarding the allegations made by Shamaan during his press briefing on June 9, 2026, police stated on Thursday that the investigation into claims of money laundering and illicit enrichment was conducted in full compliance with Maldivian laws and established legal procedures. The allegations suggest that Shamaan, in collusion with several Immigration officials, abused his official position to extort financial gains from expatriates and subsequently laundered those funds.
Police noted that information regarding the case was first shared with the media on March 21, 2025, following the commencement of the investigation. They further stated that regular updates on the progress of the inquiry have been provided to the press since then. Additionally, police confirmed that a media briefing was held on May 13, 2025, to disclose detailed findings from the investigation.
Police stated that investigative findings confirm Shamaan was fully aware of the immigration operation, from its initial planning stages through to its execution. According to the investigation, although the operation was carried out on the night of March 11, 2025, discussions regarding the matter had taken place in Shamaan’s office approximately one week prior.
Police stated that Shamaan was informed on the night the expatriates involved in this case were taken into immigration custody. Investigations have revealed that procedures to release one of the individuals were subsequently initiated. According to the police, once Immigration received a letter sent via email in the name of the sponsor, Shamaan instructed relevant staff to treat the matter as urgent and proceed with the individual's release.
Police stated that further investigations revealed that after the foreign national was released, two Immigration officers implicated in the case transported the individual around Malé in an Immigration vehicle. During this trip, discussions were held regarding the payment required in exchange for the individual's release, and it has been established that Shamaan made contact to finalize the amount. According to the police statement, an agreement was reached for a sum of 500,000 (five hundred thousand) Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that after parking their vehicle, the two immigration officers traveled by motorcycle to the area where Shamaan resides. Police stated that the individuals entered Shamaan's apartment building at approximately 3:00 a.m. carrying a bag containing cash. According to the police, when the officers exited the building roughly three minutes later, they were no longer in possession of the bag of money.
Police stated that the investigation further revealed that on the following day, March 13, 2025, a total of MVR 259,837.35 (two hundred fifty-nine thousand eight hundred thirty-seven rufiyaa and thirty-five laari) was deposited into two Bank of Maldives accounts registered under the name of Mohamed Shamaan.
Police have stated that allegations claiming the investigation was pre-planned to achieve a specific outcome are entirely baseless and false. They further dismissed claims that witnesses were influenced to provide specific statements or that the investigation's findings were directed by political figures or any other external parties. The police emphasized that all conclusions reached in the investigation were determined independently by the institution, based solely on the evidence gathered and in accordance with relevant laws and established procedures.
Furthermore, police stated that throughout the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, Shamaan refused to provide the access code required to unlock the phone seized for the investigation.
Police stated that, as a result, they have been unable to access or investigate the information stored on the phone.
Police stated that although Shamaan claimed through the media on June 9, 2026, that his phone—which was in police custody—contained evidence of corruption, he had failed to share any such information with the authorities at any stage of the investigation. This includes the period following his release from custody on December 25, 2025, during which he was at liberty. Furthermore, the police noted that they have no knowledge of any such information being officially submitted to any other institution legally mandated to investigate corruption cases.
The police stated that all investigations conducted by the service are carried out in accordance with legal procedures, remaining impartial and free from any outside influence. The police further assured that whenever an allegation of a criminal offense is supported by sufficient evidence or information from any party, the matter will be reviewed and investigated within the bounds of the law.
The police statement further noted that the Criminal Court's verdict was based on evidence presented during the judicial proceedings, following the completion of the investigation and the subsequent filing of charges by the Prosecutor General's Office in accordance with legal procedures.
The police stated that they fully respect the judicial system and the independence of the judiciary as established under the Constitution and the laws of the Maldives. The police further noted that if any party is dissatisfied with a court ruling or believes it warrants a review, the appropriate legal recourse is to exercise the right of appeal available within the judicial system.
The police issued this statement after Home Minister Ali Ihusaan stated on Wednesday that he had requested the police service to clarify the facts of the matter to the public, while categorically denying all allegations made against him by Shamaan.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Minister Ihusaan stated that Shamaan is making baseless and false allegations, noting that there is no evidence or proof to support these repeated claims. The Minister further emphasized that he had previously clarified to the media that these accusations are entirely fabricated.
Minister Ihusaan stated that evidence gathered by the police clearly refutes allegations that Shamaan was framed, dismissing the claims as entirely baseless. The Minister further noted that he has requested the police institution to provide the public with a detailed clarification regarding the facts of the case.
