Lawmakers: Adeeb’s escape is an intelligence failure, must be investigated

Maldivian security services have come under scrutiny by parliamentarians who have called former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor’s escape to India on a tugboat despite an active travel ban on him as a huge failure of police intelligence and other security services.

Adeeb was brought back to Male’ City in custody of the police last Sunday evening, and immediately taken to the Criminal Court for his remand hearing. The court found Adeeb’s arrest to be riddled with procedural irregularities and ordered his release.

It, however, granted a subsequent request for an arrest warrant this Monday.

Hulhumeedhooo MP Ilyas Labeeb, at this Monday’s parliamentary sitting, submitted an emergency motion over the court’s initial order to release Adeeb.

Many of the parliamentarians who debated over the motion said that it wasn’t the court’s decision which should be scrutinized, but how and why he was allowed to flee Maldives.

They said that the ‘disappearance’ of such a high-profile suspect as Adeeb from right under the watch of authorities raised questions over the competence of Maldivian intelligence services.

“What’s important to us today is how he was able to go there. It’s clear there is police intelligence failure. This is not something which should be swept under the rug,” said South Galolhu MP Mickail Naseem, a MDP parliamentarian.

Meanwhile, deputy leader of PPM, Naifaru MP Ahmed Shiyam called for the immediate resignation of all officials responsible for failing to prevent Adeeb from fleeing the country.

He also questioned why Adeeb chose to flee to India, and not another country.

Parliamentary group leader PNC, Meedhoo MP Adam Shareef Umar alleged that Adeeb walked free from prison after the new administration came to power under a deal be made with the Prosecutor General’s Office.

“The fact that he fled after this is shameful to me as a former Defense Minister. I believe we should have the capacity to escape attempts in such cases,” said Adam Shareef, who served as Defense Minister during former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration.

Adam Shareef also called for an investigation to find out why Adeeb resorted to such a ‘desperate’ act.

Adeeb is believed to have boarded tugboat Virgo 9 which was headed to India carrying construction material on Saturday, July 27. He was intercepted by the Indian authorities when the boat docked at the Tuticorin Port on Thursday, August 1.

He was placed into the custody of Maldivian authorities and expelled from India on Saturday, August 3; and the Coastguard ship carrying Adeeb arrived at Male’ City on Sunday, August 4.

Adeeb is currently back in custody of Maldivian authorities at the Dhoonidhoo Custodial.