Tug boat agent Translink unaware of Adeeb's presence

Translink Pvt Ltd, the agent operating the tugboat aboard which former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb attempted to escape, made a declaration on Friday, denying any prior knowledge of his presence.

Adeeb was apprehended by Indian authorities near Tuticorin Port, Thoothukudi, while he was posing as a crew member working on a Mongolian tugboat named Virgo 9. At the time of his escape, his passport was being withheld under Supreme Court orders.

Translink Director Mohamed Waheed stated to local media company Mihaaru that the company was unaware of Adeeb's presence on the tugboat before Thursday.

“It was a surprise to us”, said Waheed, revealing that Translink's knowledge of the matter was limited to media reports.

He elaborated that Translink only managed boats while they were within Maldives and that the vessels ceased to be the company's responsibility following departure.

The director revealed that Virgo 9 regularly travelled between India and Maldives, delivering shipments of rubble mound. He stated that the tugboat departed from the capital city of Male' on July 27 after emptying its load at the island of Kudavilingili, Kaafu Atoll which is being developed as a resort.

According to Waheed, the tug boat stopped in Maldives for approximately three or four days.

Official spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar said, "... since he was not entering India through a designated entry point and did not possess the valid document, he has not been permitted entry into India.”

MEA and several Indian authorities are currently investigating the matter.

Adeeb's cover as a crew member was blown by an Indian employee working aboard Virgo 9. Excluding the former VP, there were a total of nine workers aboard the ship.

Maldives Police Service assured that efforts to extradite the former vice president were underway and that those who aided his escape attempt would be punished.

Following his apprehension, Adeeb requested protection from the Indian government citing fears of politically motivated charges and past instances of being coerced to issue false statements.

Although all the charges against ex-VP Adeeb were dropped, clearing him from serving a jail sentence of 33 years, the state appealed one case regarding the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) fraud at the Supreme Court.