FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF MALDIVES ARRESTED IN TUTICORIN - REASON?

Maldives vice-president Ahmed Adeeb was detained in Tuticorin by Indian agencies on Thursday.  He was detained for illegally entering India.

According to a Maldives Independent report, he entered India as a crew member of a tug boat.

"Tuticorin Port [Tamil Nadu] Authority say they have detained the former vice-president of Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb. MEA says, 'they are trying to ascertain the veracity of the reports'," ANI reported.

He was released from jail after Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "There are designated entry points through which foreigners are allowed entry into India. The entry is facilitated on the basis of appropriate valid travel documents. In the instant case, 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."