Former VP of Maldives Ahmed Adeeb arrested for illegally entering India

Former Vice President of Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb has been arrested for allegedly illegally entering India on Thursday, according to media reports. He has been arrested from the port of Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu while trying to pass off as crew member of the Virgo 9 tug boat.

Adeeb has been named in multiple criminal cases, including a graft case pertaining to Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) in which state funds worth at least US $90 million were allegedly embezzled. He was also accused of being involved in a money laundering case.

He was also convicted in 2016 for planning a conspiracy to murder President Yameen Abdul Gayoom in September 2015. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

However, his conviction was quashed in May this year by appellate courts based on the argument that there was undue political influence over the trials in 2016. The High Court had ordered fresh trials for two of the three cases against Adeeb.

Ahmed Adeeb briefly served as Vice President of Maldives in 2015 appointed by President Abdulla Yameen. Prior to his appointment on 22 July 2015, he served as the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

After the controversial resignation of President Mohamed Nasheed on 7 February 2012, President Waheed appointed Ahmed Adeeb as Tourism Minister. After Abdulla Yameen was sworn in as President of Maldives, on 17 November 2013, Ahmed Adeeb was appointed as Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Apart from being the Tourism Minister, Ahmed Adeeb was also the chair of the Economic Council.