Ex-defence minister accused of socializing with wanted fugitive

Kanditheemu constituency MP Abdulla Shaheem has accused former defence minister, and current Maduvvari constituency MP, Adam Shareef of socializing with wanted fugitive Abdulla Luthufee.

Luthufee is to have led the attempted coup of 1988, and was convicted and sentenced to death over the case. However, the death sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

He was granted medical leave in 2010, and had been in hiding until May 1, when he turned himself in at the Maldivian embassy in Sri Lanka.

Shareef submitted an emergency motion to the parliament at the week’s first sitting on Monday, over the delay in Luthufee’s extradition.

Speaking during the debate, the Kanditheemu MP said that the motion was submitted for political gain and not because of the delay in his return.

Shaheem further said that Shareef himself was seen “having coffee” with Luthufee in Sri Lanka about two years ago.

Noting that he was the defence minister at the time, Shaheem said that “this is saddening.”

MP Shareef quickly denied the accusation, at the sitting.

He told RaajjeMV that Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has no jurisdiction in the case, adding that it is entirely the police’s responsibility.

MP Shaheem also accused former Home Minister Umar Naseer of telling officers that Luthufee should not be brought back to the country.

Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof tweeted a similar claim on Sunday, saying that Naseer is to have informed officers to keep Luthufee in Sri Lanka “until he dies” after being requested for an approval to take him into police custody.