Former Immigration Controller Shamaan Waheed was framed and arrested on criminal charges, his wife Hidhfa Faiz has said.

In a post on social media, Hidhfa said her husband had been arrested "unjustly and framed."

She did not comment further on the matter and did not give details.

Shamaan was detained on March 22 for allegedly releasing a detained foreigner and extorting MVR 530,000 from him.

He has been remanded in custody pending trial. The remand order was appealed and a hearing was held at the High Court on Monday.

Lawyer Noorusalaam Abubakuru told the court that his client was not being treated fairly. He stressed that suspects in more serious cases have been released.

The state should explain the reason for discrimination against Shamaan, he added.

A second hearing was scheduled for 1:00 pm today, but was cancelled.