Motion filed with Parliament over court order to release Adeeb

An emergency motion has been filed with the Parliament over the Criminal Court’s order to release former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor who was brought back to Maldives after a foiled attempt to flee the country in violation of an active travel ban.

The emergency motion was filed by Addu Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb this Monday.

Announcing the emergency motion, Speaker of Parliament, President Mohamed Nasheed commented that a parliamentarian wished to engage in a debate over the court’s decision to order Adeeb’s release.

Adeebwas 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 Saturday, August 3.

The Coastguard ship carrying him reached Male’ City on the evening of Sunday, August 4.

Criminal Court ordered Adeeb’s release on Sunday evening after it found procedural irregularities with Adeeb’s arrest.

The court found that Adeeb was arrested outside of Maldivian economic zone and in violation of international protocols – something which the Prosecutor General’s office conceded to.

Though the court ordered Adeeb’s release over the procedural irregularities, it granted a subsequent request for an arrest warrant.

Adeeb was re-arrested by the police this Monday and is now at the Dhoonidhoo Detention Facility.