Parliament Speaker's brother Shahid released following High Court order

Police has released Mohamed Shahid, the brother of Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid, following the appeal of his detention period in High Court, and the subsequent order to release him. Mohamed Shahid was arrested under corruption allegations for the fraudulent use of MVR 24 million from the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC).

Mohamed Shahid’s release order was decided unanimously by the High Court judges who presided over the case.

The High Court order issued today ordering Mohamed Shahid’s release stated that the law regarding the extension of detention periods stated that a person can only be detained without a court sentence if there is a threat that the person might flee or attempt to conceal evidence.

The Criminal Court order extending Mohamed Shahid’s detention to a period of 15 days stated that, reflecting on the evidence collected against him, Mohamed Shahid might be a danger to the society and that he might also attempt to concealing evidence if he is released.

Rendering the order void, the High Court order reasoned that Mohamed Shahid was accused of events that took place during the years 2009 and 2010, and that the police investigation was instigated in 2013, and that he is no longer an employee of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and that his statement has been collected regarding the matter prior to his arrest.

High Court stated that since the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) had also investigated the case prior to the police, and reflecting on his criminal record, they do not perceive Mohamed Shahid to pose a threat to society.

The people taken under arrest in relation to this case in addition to Shahid include; former Head of NDMC Abdulla Shahid; Ahmed Arif of Ma. Ever Glory; Mohamed Waheed of Dhigali, B. Eydhafushi; and Abdullah Saeed of Feyrumaage, Gdh. Hoadeddhoo.

Criminal Court order granting 15 days for the detention of the remaining four people have also been appealed in High Court.