Coastguard ship carrying ex-VP Adeeb is yet to arrive in Maldives

 Maldives Police Service says the Coastguard ship carrying former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor is yet to reach Maldives.

The police, this Sunday, refuted media reports Adeeb has been brought to Maldives and is being kept at the Dhoonidhoo Detention Facility.

Adeeb, who was an active travel ban on him, was intercepted by Indian authorities in an attempt to enter India illegally from the Tuticorin Port on tugboat Virgo 9 on Thursday, August 1.

He was denied his request for asylum, handed over to Maldivian authorities and deported from India on tugboat Virgo 9 on Saturday, August 3.

Adeeb was transferred to Coastguard ship, Huravi, after the tugboat left Indian territorial waters.

Chief police spokesperson, Izmia Zahir stated this Sunday that Adeeb is yet to arrive in Maldives.

“Adeeb Abdul Gafoor is not here yet. We will inform you when he arrives,” said Izmia.

The police have not announced the expected date of Adeeb’s arrival.

It issued a short statement on Saturday confirming that Adeeb has been placed under arrest, and is being extradited to Maldives.

The police, later on Saturday, raided Adeeb’s private residence, the penthouse apartment of G. Humashige in Male’ City.

It is unclear whether the police seized any evidence from the apartment.

Adeeb is the prime suspect in the biggest embezzlement and money laundering case in recent Maldivian history, and also the State’s key witness in its money laundering case against former Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

The police have yet to make an official comment regarding his escape.