Authorities in the Maldives have seized the passport of Hussain Shifau who allegedly used counterfeit telegraphic transfers (TT) to acquire goods from international companies.
Police had apprehended Shifau on the 27th of May this year but he was released from Police custody after the Criminal Court deemed that he was not a danger to the community.
He flew abroad on the 29th of May.
Speaking to 'The Press', Public Prosecutor Ahmed Shafeeu said that Shifau returned to the Maldives on his own after the INTERPOL had issued a red notice for his arrest.
Shafeeu further said that though the suspect was arrested upon his return to the Maldives, he has since been released with conditions. Shafeeu added that the suspect's passport was seized before his release.
The state has charged Shifau with 9 counts of knowingly using a forged document, 7 counts of cheating, and 7 counts of money laundering.
If he is convicted of all these charges, Shifau could get a sentence of 38 years in jail.
The suspect is accused of using counterfeit TTs to import goods worth more than MVR 3 million.
