An Indian government official has confirmed that former Vice President of Maldives Ahmd Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor who attempted to enter India via sea route after fleeing Maldives has been handed over to Maldivian authorities.
Citing the official, Indian media 'The Hindu' reported that the 'transfer' of Adeeb to Maldivian authorities was completed on August 3.
The newspaper further said it is understood that the tugboat on which Adeeb attempted to India was escorted to the International Maritme Boundary Line (IMBL) by the Indian Coast Guard and 'ransferred Adeeb to a Maldivian Coast Guard ship, where officials took him into custody
The nine crew men on the boat are also being returned to Maldives to identify how Adeeb had orchestrated his escape.
The vessel is expected to reach Maldives early Sunday morning.
However, the source denied reports that Adeeb was deported from India, as the former vice president was not permitted to enter India since he was not entering through a designated entry point and did not possess valid documents.
Adeeb fled to India after the Supreme Court acquitted him of all convictions against him. Adeeb remains a subject of investigation for alleged misappropriation of state funds, corruption and money laundering. He recently traveled to India for medical purposes with the permission of Maldives Correctional Service while under their custody.
Adeeb returned to Maldives after his medical trip amid public concerns that he would attempt to flee the country, and proclaimed that he was not one to 'flee the country'.
