Former Vice President of Maldives Ahmed Adeeb has asked for political asylum from India.
The former vice president was apprehended when he arrived in Thoothukudi, in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The former vice-president travelled on the tugboat named Virgo 9, according to The Times of India. The newspaper reported there were 9 crew members on-board the tugboat when it left for the Maldives on July 11. The crew included an Indian and eight Indonesians.
The Singapore-registered tugboat started its return journey on July 27 with 10 people on-board, including Ahmed Adeeb. On being alerted by the agent, officials from the customs, the Coast Guard and intelligence agencies boarded it and questioned Adeeb, according to The Times of India.
In a statement, the international legal team led by UK-based Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers said has sought asylum in a safe country, namely India. Having claimed asylum, India are reminded that they must consider that claim in accordance with relevant national and international rules, he cannot simply be returned to the Maldives, regardless of any relationship the two states may have, the statement further said.
‘’An individual’s rights and freedoms are at the forefront of any decision, political, diplomatic, or any other interests are not for consideration. We therefore call upon the Government of India to consider the application in an appropriate manner and offer Adeeb protection whilst his claim is under review’’, the international legal team said.
Citing the former Vice president has been arrested in India after having fled Maldives in fear of life, Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers highlighted Adeeb was released from prison at the end of 2018, with the Supreme Court acquitting him of all offences earlier in 2019. The team further noted despite being acquitted, Adeeb has remained under house arrest following an appeal being lodged by the Prosecutor General against that acquittal.
‘’It is of particular concern that following this the authorities forced him to sign an agreement with a clause that he could only receive necessary medical treatment if he signed the agreement,’’ the statement said. In this regard, Adeeb travelled to Pune, India on June 14 for medical treatment. He arrived back in Maldives on July 7.
During this period, Adeeb has still been subject to overt political influence, with the Maldivian security services seeking to coerce him into signing documents that would amount to a false admission of guilt and put his life and the life of members of his family in danger, according to the international legal team.
‘’Accordingly, there is a very real and demonstrable risk that his fundamental rights and freedoms will be violated, Adeeb is at risk of becoming a victim of a politically motivated justice system,’’ the statement further noted.
Having claimed asylum, India was reminded it must consider that claim in accordance with relevant national and international rules, Adeeb cannot simply be returned to the Maldives, regardless of any relationship the two states may have. However, in a statement, Maldives Police Service revealed efforts are underway to bring Adeeb back to Maldives.
‘’An individual’s rights and freedoms are at the forefront of any decision, political, diplomatic, or any other interests are not for consideration. We therefore call upon the Government of India to consider the application in an appropriate manner and offer Adeeb protection whilst his claim is under review,’’ the legal team said.
Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers called on the United Nations Office of the High Commission for Refugees to act with diligence in considering his application and United Nations Office of the High Commission for Human Rights to ensure the rights of Adeeb are protected.
The former vice president was to be summoned by Maldives police on Wednesday. However, the police said he fled instead of providing a statement regarding the MMPRC corruption scandal. He was also registered as a key witness against former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s ongoing money laundering case proceeding at Criminal Court of Maldives. A hearing was also scheduled for next Sunday, with Adeeb set to give a testimony.