Home Minister: Luthufee will be re-captured soon

Minister of Home Affairs, Azleen Ahmed has pledged Abdulla Luthufee – who attempted to overthrow the government in the coup attempt of 1988 – would be re-captured and brought back to Maldives very soon.

Luthufee is one of the key individuals behind the coup attempt which took the lives of 19 Maldivians.

He had attempted the coup with the help of mercenaries hired from People’s Liberation of Tamil Eelam (PLOT) from Sri Lanka.

His death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment by former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Luthufee was later allowed permission to travel out of Maldives for medical treatment in 2011 during former President Mohamed Nasheed’s presidency; and has been on the run ever since.

There are rumors that he is living in Sri Lanka under the assumed name of “Zaan”.

He has an Interpol red notice against him, a price over his head for information that may lead to his arrest, and a Criminal Court order for his arrest.

His Maldivian passport was cancelled by Immigration this year.

Speaking during the official Victory Day celebration at V. Fulidhoo this Thursday, Minister Azleen said that “we will capture and arrest him, and bring him here to this country very soon.”

Azleen said that it was evident from history each and every plot to over a legitimate government in the country involved begging for help at the feet of power hungry foreign oppressive powers.

He said the current government was ready to do everything in its power and make every sacrifice possible to maintain the independence, sovereignty and honor of the country.