Minister of Home Affairs, Imran Abdulla, has said that the extradition of Abdulla Luthufee (Haajaraage) who led the coup invasion of 3 November 1988, would take a payment of USD 2852 as an overstay fine and the payment would be made as soon as the document from the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry is delivered.

Luthufee was allowed to go to Sri Lanka for medical treatment in 2010 during the Presidency of Mohamed Nasheed while serving a life sentence. Since then he has been living in Sri Lanka illegally.

Responding to a question by the MP for Nolhivaram constituency, Mohamed Nasheed, Minister Imran said that Luthufee turned himself in to the Maldivian Embassy on 1 May 2019. And a decision was made after discussing with the Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed, to bring Luthufee within two days. However, since it was the aftermath of the Easter Sunday Bombings in Sri Lanka, requirements needed to be met before bringing him back to prevent any issues with the Sri Lankan government. Now, the extradition is being delayed as the government is waiting on a document from the Sri Lankan Minister for Defence.

Minister Imran said that the extradition will take place as soon as the said document arrives.

In response to a question regarding the payment of USD 2852, the Home Minister said that Luthufee has been living illegally in Sri Lanka hence an overstay fine has to be paid for the Sri Lankan Immigration.

After an MP raised the question as to why the details sending the former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb for treatment is being released but information of the situation of Luthufee at the Embassy is not being released, Minister Imran said that the Adheeb case has been in their charge since the beginning. But as Luthufee case is related to national security, a decision was made to hold off until he has been extradited.