Shamaan: Thefts being committed; not an administration worth keeping

Former Controller General of Immigration Mohamed Shamaan Waheed, on Tuesday, has alleged that the current administration is involved in corruption, arguing that it is unfit to continue governing the country.

A sentencing hearing in the case brought against Shamaan by the state was scheduled for 16:00pm this evening. He been pressed with serious felonies that would land him behind bars for a long time; an accomplice to theft by extortion – which carries a three-year prison sentence, misuse of authority to obtain a benefit – which carries a one-year prison sentence, and money laundering – a charge that carries a prison sentence of between five to 15 years. Shamaan has categorically denied the charges against him, affirming his innocence.

Before entering the courtroom, he spoke with journalists to address the charges filed against him. While speaking to the media, Shamaan made a series of allegations against Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Attorney General Ahmed Usham.

Shamaan alleged that the case was fabricated and orchestrated by certain individuals acting under the direct instructions of Home Minister Ali Ihusan to frame him. He was confident that he would be sentenced to prison, citing this as the reason he chose to disclose this information before the sentencing. 

Notably, shortly before addressing the media, Shamaan published a series of posts on social media. In these posts, he alleged that Minister Ihusaan had "sold" Maldives’ primary border control system to a particular party. According to Shamman, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu personally contacted him on multiple occasions after he attempted to intervene and oppose the alleged transaction.

Shamaan further claimed that during their final discussion on the matter, the President became angry and warned him that "this will not change in any further." He described the alleged sale of the border control system as a serious offense orchestrated by Minister Ihusaan and Attorney General Usham, adding that evidence supporting his claims is stored on a mobile phone currently in police custody.

He further alleged that authorities had arrested other individuals in connection with the case to secure a conviction, adding the state entered into plea agreements with them for this purpose.

He accused Minister Ihusaan and Attorney General Usham of being the principal figures behind the alleged plan and claimed that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu was fully aware of it.

Shamaan argued that the President’s failure to intervene amounted to an act of corruption in itself and suggested that the President was personally involved in the matter.

"This is a government we worked very hard to bring to power with good intentions, but it is not an administration that should be allowed to remain in the Maldives at this time. I urge my friends, my family, and everyone who wishes me well to work against this government and ensure its term ends before 2028," Shamman stressed.