Foreign Ministry has said that the escaped convict involved in the 1988 attack on the Maldives, Abdulla Luthufee, expressed that he wants to turn himself into the Maldivian government on 1 May 2019 at the Maldives Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Maldivian government institutes were notified immediately.

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

The Ministry said that there are certain procedures that need to be met as an Interpol Red Notice was issued. And 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 as he wanted to turn himself in after the tragic bombing in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Ministry said that they are working to bring him back to the Maldives despite these challenges and Luthufee is currently in the custody of the Maldives Police Service. The statement said that they would continue their efforts to bring him back after completing the procedures within the laws and regulations of both the Maldives and the Sri Lanka.