Former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor sought asylum in India through the proper United Nations channels when he was recently in the country for medical purposes, Adeeb's lawyers have revealed.
The former president was detained off Tuticorin, India as he attempted to enter the country via sea route after fleeing the Maldives. He sought asylum in India through relevant UN offices, however, his application was rejected by Indian authorities, who handed him over to Maldives police.
He has since been transported back to Maldives and jailed at Dhoonidhoo Prison.
Although convicted for multiple criminal offences, Adeeb was recently acquitted of all convictions against him. However, he 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. At the time, he was serving a 15-day sentence for contempt of court, although he was freed of the remaining convictions against him.
The law firm representing Adeeb 'Guernica 37' has claimed that Indian authorities acted irresponsibly and disregarded both national and international law in returning Adeeb back to Maldives.
In an email interview given to India's 'Hindustan Times', Toby Cadman from the law firm said Indian authorities have repeatedly assured that Adeeb was held on the boat outside of Indian territory at the time of questioning when he was discovered on 'Virgo 9' tugboat.
However, it is clear that the boat was at Tuticorin harbor, which proves Adeeb was within India's jurisdiction, he said. He also noted that he was given the opportunity to speak briefly to Adeeb when he arrived in India, but was prevented from speaking to him thereafter. Indian authorities also refused to proved accurate information on the matter, accused Cadman.
Adeeb traveled to India for medical purposes in June. When asked why Adeeb did not use the opportunity to make his case for asylum in India, Cadman said the UNHCR were contacted during this time and they failed to take any timely action.
"It is regrettable that the UNHCR Office in Delhi must bear some responsibility. Their inaction has resulted in Mr Adeeb being forcibly and unlawfully returned to the Maldives and must be the subject of an internal enquiry", he said.
During the interview, Cadman reiterated that India had been irresponsible in denying entry to Adeeb and returning him to Maldives while Maldives was no longer safe for Adeeb.
"The risk that Mr. Adeeb took in fleeing the Maldives by sea is indicative of the gravity of his situation. He spent 3 years in prison and was ultimately acquitted by the Supreme Court. Much of the evidence presented against him was not disclosed to the defence. The judiciary in the Maldives has been characterized as under the control of the executive. Mr Adeeb was placed under house arrest. He was being coerced to give statements against other persons. Necessary medical treatment was withheld until he signed an agreement to that effect. Such coercive conduct by the authorities is unlawful", he said
When asked regarding Al Jazeera's 'Stealing Paradise' documentary in which made huge allegations against his client, Cadman said the Al Jazeera documentary was the result of a journalistic inquiry, and not a criminal investigation to the criminal standard. Its results are not admissible in a court of law, and it should not be considered the basis for watering down such fundamental rights, he added.
Adeeb has now been transported back to Maldives. Upon his arrival He was initially freed by the Criminal Court as the police had failed to follow procedure in arresting Adeeb on international waters. However, he was arrested once again after the police obtained a new arrest warrant from the Criminal Court and has been taken Dhoondhoo Jail. He has been remanded to 15 days in custody.
