Sri Lankan Police were unaware of the whereabouts of Abdulla Luthfee, one of the conspirators behind the coup of November 3, 1988, reported Lankan media 'News First'.
According to the media outlet on June 27, when inquired, Sri Lanka Police's media division stated that Police was yet to receive information pertaining to Luthfee.
News First said that the agency "tried to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inquire if there are attempts made by the Maldivian Embassy in Sri Lanka to safeguard a terrorist using diplomatic immunity. However, our attempts proved futile".
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to address the Lanka Media report. The ministry's Director of Communications Miuvan Mohamed stated that no further comments exist over the matter, except for the statement circulated by Minister Abdulla Shahid.
Luthfee turned himself in when Sri Lankan authorities heightened security measures following the series of bomb blasts all over the country on April 21. Foreigners living in Lanka were requested to register at the closest police station and illegal immigrants were deported, leaving Luthfee with no other choice but to seek protection at the embassy.
Commissioner of Police (CP) Hameed told local media Mihaaru that Police assumed responsibility for Luthfee at once, and have been working closely with relevant authorities to return him to Maldives.
Although police previously revealed its intention to extradite Luthfee within 48 hours, Luthfee still remains sheltered within the embassy.
Additionally, at the press conference held on Saturday, Police claimed that Sri Lankan authorities are yet to finish the required documents to extradite the conspirator.
Interpol had issued a red notice on Luthfee who was serving a sentence when he absconded in 2010 after travelling to Sri Lanka for medical treatment, CP Hameed stated that legal procedures had to be completed before bringing Luthfee back home.
Furthermore, Interpol issued a red notice on Luthfee, who at the time was serving a life sentence when he absconded in 2010 after travelling to Sri Lanka for medical treatment, CP Hameed stated that legal procedures had to be completed before bringing Luthfee back home.
Sagar Ahmed Nasir, Luthfee's partner behind the coup, is now free after completing his jail sentence of 25 years.
Luthfee was initially sentenced to capital punishment for his crimes. However, the then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom reduced his sentence to life imprisonment.
As per the Maldivian constitution, life imprisonment consists of 25 years. If Luthfee had not fled, his sentence would have ended in 2014.
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