'A day to value true friends, partnerships': Minister Shahid

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on occasion of the 31st anniversary of Victory Day, honoured the ‘invaluable military support’ shown by the Indian government in halting the coup on November 3, 1988.

"It is a day to value true friends and partnerships", said Minister Shahid, highlighting the "ultimate sacrifice" by the 19 martyred by the invaders, including civilians and soldiers of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

"Our highest gratitude and deepest appreciation shall never diminish".

"We honour all those who undertook the duties entrusted to them with unwavering dedication and dignity and fought to preserve the sovereignty of this nation".

He further iterated that, the 1988 coup attempt shaped multiple United Nations (UN) resolutions on the security of small states. The "efforts in this regard, helped change the discourse on how small states are viewed and discussed in the international security debate".

Minister Shahid further iterated that as a result of the emerging external threats of the 21st-century, the government has to become "more aware" of the need to "invest in the ties that bind us to the larger international community".

Conspirator Abdulla Luthfee masterminded the attempt to unlawfully overthrow the government by taking over the National Security Service (NSS) with the help of armed militants from Sri Lanka's People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE). The attack resulted in the death of 11 Maldivian civilians and eight military personnel.

Luthfee fled to Sri Lanka on January 16, 2010, when he was granted permission to travel abroad for medical treatment during former President Mohamed Nasheed's administration.

However, Luthfee turned himself in when Sri Lankan authorities heightened security measures following a 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.