Former Home Minister Umar Naseer has responded to Home Minister Imran Abdulla's allegations that Umar dismissed the importance of bringing back 1988 coup leader Abdulla Luthufee back to Maldives.
Earlier on Monday Home Minister Imran Abdulla stated at the parliament that Luthufee's location became known to Maldives Police Service in 2014, however, then Home Minister Umar Naseer had deemed Luthufee's extradition as unimportant by not granting the necessary approvals to the police.
Umar refuted the claims stating that he was the minister who made most efforts in the attempt to apprehend Luthufee.
"I was serving in the army during the November 3 attack. I experienced the attack myself, I saw with my eyes the martyred soldiers with their blood spilled on the ground. I moved the bodies of martyrs from one place to another. This is why, while I was a cabinet minister, I tried my best to locate Luthufee". said Umar.
Noting some of the efforts he undertook as Minister in his attempt to find Luthufee, he reminded that the previous government had offered a reward of MVR 75,000 for anyone who could provide credible information on Luthufee's whereabouts, which was later increased to US$ 10,000.
He further noted that he officially met with Sri Lanka's Law and Order minister and Police Chief, and tabled Luthufee's case on agenda. A special police team was also dispatched to Sri Lanka after the government received reports that Luthufee was hiding out in Nunegoda, Sri Lanka, however ,the mission was unsuccessful, revealed Umar.
Assisted by armed foreign mercenaries, Luthufee led the attacks on Maldives on 3rd November 1988 that killed 19 Maldivians. Charged and convicted for treason, Luthufee received the death penalty for his crimes. However, then President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom lightened his sentence to life imprisonment.
Luthufee was allowed to travel to neighboring Sri Lanka on 16th January 2010 for medical purposes during former president Mohamed Nasheed's administration. However, he went into hiding during the trip and has been residing in Sri Lanka for the past nine years as a fugitive.
In a recent development, Luthufee voluntarily presented himself to the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka on 1st May 2019, after which he has been residing at the embassy until now. Authorities did not disclose his presence at the embassy until last Monday, after rumors that the embassy was harboring Luthufee made its rounds on social media, prompting public criticism on the matter. It was ex-minister umar who first linked Luthufee's whereabouts to the Maldivian embassy in Sri Lanka.
While arrangements to extradite Luthufee are being made, authorities have blamed the delay in returning Luthufee back to Maldives on incomplete documentation and other processes.
Former Home Minister Umar Naseer - AVAS File Photo
