Recently dismissed Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed has been remanded in custody pending trial.

Adhadhu can confirm that the Criminal Court made the decision on April 6.

Shamaan was fired on March 21 and detained on March 22. His 15-day remand order was rejected when he appealed at the High Court.

Shamaan and other immigration officers are under investigation for allegedly releasing a detained foreigner and extorting MVR 530,000 from him.

In a statement, police said the residence of the foreign worker was searched by employees who were not involved in the designated Immigration departments.

Police said the foreigner, who was in immigration custody, was released the next day along with the MVR 530,000 on Shamaan's orders.

The foreigner was released and the money was taken from him by immigration officials who searched his residence after meeting him on the street.

Police said the immigration officers took the money from the man and went to Shamaan's house.