Minister of Home Affairs Imran Abdulla has stated the case of Abdulla Luthufee fleeing the country while completing a 25-year jail sentence has been forwarded to Prosecutor General.
Speaking at a press conference at Maldives Police Services. (MPS), Minister Imran did not explain when his case was sent for prosecution.
Luthufee, the conspirator behind the coup of November 3, 1998, was brought back to Maldives under police custody on July 9. The 70-year-old conspirator has been locked up in Maafushi Prison and is currently serving the rest of his sentence.
Luthufee absconded during the presidency of Mohamed Nasheed upon granting permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. MPS later issued red notice via Interpol for his capture. Luthufee was taken under custody once he took refuge at the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka following Easter Sunday attacks last April.
Luthufee was the terrorist leader behind the attempt to overthrow the Maldivian Government with the help of armed militants from Sri Lanka's People Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). The attack saw the death of 19 innocent Maldivians and several casualties.
Luthufee was initially sentenced to capital punishment for his crimes. However, his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, which is a 25-year prison sentence according to Maldivian Constitution.