Former Immigration Controller Mohamed Shamaan Waheed has been ordered by the Criminal Court to remain in custody until the conclusion of his trial,
Police confirmed Shamaan's remand extension to Mihaaru News.
Shamaan was arrested last month after being removed from office, following allegations that he colluded with immigration officials to extort more than MVR 500,000 from an expatriate.
The money taken from the expatriate, who had been released from immigration detention, was reportedly taken to Shamaan's residence.
Criminal Court initially remanded Shamaan for 15 days. His legal team appealed the decision to the High Court, but the appeal was dismissed, paving the way for extended detention as the case proceeds.
Besides Shamaan, four other individuals have also been arrested in connection with the case, with the court extending their remand as well.
Police have also imposed travel bans on more individuals and seized Shamaan’s wife's phone as part of the investigation.
According to police, the expatriate was arrested at a guesthouse following an operation conducted by Immigration. After his release, immigration officers allegedly met him on the streets and took the money before delivering it to Shamaan’s residence.