Difficult to get escaped convict from SL: Maldives

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry has said that bringing the escaped convict Abdulla Luthufee back from Sri Lanka was challenging because of the nature of the case.  

According to oneonline Maldives news, Luthufee, who was involved in the 1988 attack on the Maldives had expressed that he wants to turn himself to the Maldivian government at the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka.  

A statement issued by the Maldivian Foreign Ministry said they had been working with the Sri Lankan authorities from the moment they were notified of the arrest and were working on bringing him back to the country.   However, due to the nature of the case, there are challenges getting him back to the custody of the Maldivian government.  

The ministry said there were certain procedures that needed to be met as an Interpol Red Notice had been issued.   

As Luthufee was living in Sri Lanka as a fugitive without a valid visa and has attempted to gain asylum under human rights, they have to go through certain procedures. And it is an added obstruction because he wanted to turn himself in after the tragic bombing in Sri Lanka.  

The Maldivian Foreign Ministry said they were working to bring him back to the Maldives despite these challenges and Luthufee was currently in the custody of the Maldives Police Service.   

The statement said they would continue their efforts to bring him back after completing the procedures within the laws and regulations of both the Maldives and Sri Lanka.