Government: Adheeb may flee if medical visit is granted

The Maldivian government has said that the former Vice President Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Gafoor, currently serving a prison sentence, may flee if he is granted a medical visit abroad.

Speaking at a press conference today the President's Office today, the Attorney General, Mohamed Anil said that allowing the former Vice President currently serving 33 years for a number of convictions, to go abroad for medical treatment is "opening a door" for him to escape and allowing anyone to escape is difficult for the government.

Attorney General Anil said that the convicts being sent abroad for medical treatments have a high chance of fleeing altogether.

The Attorney General said that audit reports show USD 80 million missing that needs to be coming in for the state and a large portion of it is believed to be kept abroad.

He said that Adheeb is greatly connected to the corruption of the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and if he is allowed to leave and escapes, the chances of recovering the embezzeled money become slim. However, the Attorney General assured that no relevant authority will become negligent in providing any medical assistance to the former Vice President.

Noting that Adheeb can get medical treatment without going abroad, Attorney General Anil said that Adheeb is capable of bringing in doctors and equipment from abroad for treatment.