Immigration under fire for deporting suspects without investigation

M D Shafiqul Islam was suspected of “illegally recruiting foreigners” and conducting illegal businesses. The 49-year-old known as ‘Master’ was taken into custody in a joint operation conducted with police and deported last Thursday, immigration said. Abu Hanif was stopped at the airport and deported on Friday night after his work permit was revoked without notice. According to media reports, Hanif was suspected of money laundering.

But both men were deported for violating visa rules, immigration said, prompting criticism over the failure to conduct further investigations or arrest any Maldivian partners.

Independent MP Ahmed Usham asked a parliamentary oversight committee to launch a probe as former chief justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain suggested the deportation was tantamount to “burying the evidence and hiding the real criminal behind these activities.”