Former Vice President of Maldives Ahmed Adeeb is still on the tugboat as Indian military have not approved his entrance, several Indian media outlets have reported, citing Indian officials. The reports said Adeeb is still being questioned by Indian Central Government Agency.
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.
Investigations are launched to determine how Adeeb boarded the vessel, with entrance as he lacks any official documents and as the port does not hold the authority to permit foreigners in to India.
Apart from Maldives Police Service, no state authorities have made comments regarding the matter. Maldives police said efforts are underway to bring Adeeb back to Maldives.
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.
The former vice president has asked for political asylum from India, according to his international legal team.