Ex-VP Adeeb denied asylum, deported back to Maldives

Former Maldivian Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor has been denied asylum by India and deported back to Maldives.

Adeeb, who has a travel ban imposed on him by the Supreme Court, sneaked out of Maldives on tugboat Virgo 9. The boat entered Indian territorial waters and docked at the Tuticorin Port on Thursday, August 1.

Indian newspaper, The New Indian Express reports Adeeb was handed over to Maldivian authorities and deported back to Maldives onboard Virgo 9 in the early hours of this Saturday morning.

The media reports have yet to be confirmed by Maldivian authorities.

The New Indian Express also reports a team on Maldivian and Indian security and government officials boarded Virgo 9 and questioned Adeeb in the early hours of this Saturday prior to his deportation.

Indian authorities found Adeeb’s entry to India was not at a designated point, and that he did not possess travel documents. He was therefore not allowed to disembark the tugboat Virgo 9 and remained under custody of Indian authorities.

He was also denied his request for asylum from India.