Umar Naseer says Sharia punishment is the solution to fraud, not lifelong imprisonment

Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has called for fraudsters to be punished under Islamic law, arguing that long prison sentences place an undue burden on the state.  

Umar was commenting on the Criminal Court’s sentencing of Hussain Shifau to 109 years in prison and a fine of MVR 7 million for using fake telegraphic transfers (TTs) in business dealings with foreign companies.  

Sharing a screenshot of the Sun news post, Umar wrote on X: “Now the state has to look after him for his entire life? What a waste of money for the state. We need Sharia to deal with these type of crimes.”  

Speaking to Sun, Umar said the current legal framework forces the state to bear the full cost of serious crimes by keeping convicts in prison for decades.  

Shifau’s sentence is believed to be the longest ever handed down in Maldives. He was convicted on 23 counts, with Criminal Court Judge Mohamed Nadeem issuing the 109‑year sentence and imposing a fine of MVR 7 million.  

Now the state has to look after him for his entire life? What a waste of money for the state. We need Sharia to deal with these type of crimes. pic.twitter.com/Vmp91Rkhl7

— Umar Naseer (@UmarNaseerMV) December 18, 2025

Although Shifau was convicted of laundering USD 123,000, Judge Nadeem ruled that the prosecution could not be ordered to recover the funds.  

Shifau was arrested on April 28, 2023, after being wanted since 2021 for using fake TTs. He fled the country after his release, prompting Interpol to issue a red notice. His passport was confiscated upon his return to Maldives.  

Shifau was appointed Senior Political Director at the Agriculture Ministry last year but was later removed from the post.