Former Home Minister, Umar Naseer has said that after the failed attempt to sneak into India on tugboat, the former Vice President, Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor would now be in the custody of the Indian Immigration and they would not give him asylum.

Umar has made the statement after a statement from the International Justice Chambers, the international legal firm representing Adeeb, issued a statement stating that he would be seeking asylum in India from politically motivated prosecutions in Maldives.

The statement from Justice Chambers called on India to consider the claim in accordance to relevant international regulations regardless of the Maldivian relationship with India.

In an interview with One Online, Umar said that such protection is given if the person in question have serious concern for their life upon return and in Adeeb’s case, the situation is different.

The former Home Minister said that when Adeeb fled, he was living freely and did not have any serious threats against him. The international asylum is given if there is a danger of being killed if he comes back.

Umar also said that Adeeb attempted to flee because he may be sentenced again and if the judicial process goes correctly, he would be facing a long time in prison. The former Home Minister said that Adeeb will be facing charges for his involvement in the MMPRC corruption scandal.

India arrested Adeeb while attempting to enter India illegally on a tugboat at the Tuticorin Port.

While he was arrested in India, his passport has been frozen by the Supreme Court.