Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has assured Abdulla Luthufee, who is currently kept in the Embassy of Maldives in Sri Lanka, will be brought back to the country.
Luthufee led an attempted coup in Maldives on November 3, 1988, assisted by the armed mercenaries of Tamil secessionist organisation in Sri Lanka, the People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). The attack martyred 19 Maldivians.
Over the attack, Luthufee was charged with conviction for treason and sentenced to death. However, the death penalty was lowered to imprisonment for life under the commutations during the presidency of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Luthufee fled the country when he was sent abroad for medical treatment during the presidency of former President Mohamed Nasheed. Since then, he has been on the run and never returned to Maldives.
Previously, in a statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Luthufee came by himself to the Embassy of Maldives in Sri Lanka on May 1 and revealed his desire to come under the custody of the Government of Maldives. The ministry revealed the relevant authorities were immediately informed.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) has blamed incomplete administrative documents for the delay in bringing back Abdulla Luthufee to Maldives. Luthufee will be brought to the country as soon as Sri Lankan police completes the necessary documents, according to MPS.
Speaking on the matter at a press conference held at Secretariat of the Parliament, the speaker said he has the highest hope the fugitive would be brought back to Maldives. Nasheed said several criminals and individuals completing sentences on terrorism has fled after travelling abroad for medical treatment.
Nasheed noted the previous administrations have shown incapability in apprehending such fugitives and bringing them back to the country. However, he assured the current administration would not fail in bringing back Luthufee, the most dangerous terrorist in the country’s modern history.
The speaker highlighted past administrations failed in apprehending dangerous fugitives for having poor relations with the countries those criminals and terrorists seek shelter. He noted the current administration has close ties with all the countries and has exerted efforts to further enhance those relations.