Police chug back tugboat used for ex-VP's failed escape attempt; opens investigation
Maldives Customs Service has detained the tugboat after a request from the Police
Virgo-9 tugboat anchored off the coast of Hulhumale
Maldives Police Service (MPS) has brought back the tugboat used for former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb's failed escape attempt and opened an investigation.
Adeeb tried to flee the country last week while his passport had been held under a Supreme Court order. Adeeb was caughtwhilst on Indian waters on a tugboat named "Virgo-9" and handed over to the Maldivian authorities on the 1st of August. The boat is registered in Singapore.
While the tugboat is being detained by the Maldives Customs Service after a request from MPS, Police informed that none of the nine crew members have been taken into custody. The crew consisted of eight Indonesians and one Indian. The Indian crew member was the one who tipped off the authorities about Adeeb's presence on the tugboat.
Adeeb was brought back to Maldives after his failed escape attempt last Sunday. Currently he is being held in remand for 15 days via a Criminal Court order. MPS has vowed to take legal action against those who colluded in Adeeb's foiled escape attempt.
