Maldives asylum-seeking politician's life at risk, UK lawyer tells India

Former Maldives Vice President Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor has sought political asylum from India as he faces a serious risk to his life in his home country, a UK lawyer from the firm representing the politician said on Friday.

Ghafoor Thursday reached India via sea route on the coast of Tamil Nadu and he is being questioned by the Indian authorities.

Toby Cadman, co-founder of Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers the firm representing the politician in his bid for political asylum, called on the Indian government to uphold the asylum plea in accordance with international law.

"We remain deeply concerned that he could be returned to the Maldives where his life is at risk," said Cadman.

"He has made a plea for asylum and that should be upheld. I would strongly urge the Indian authorities to respect national law and its international obligations and provide the protection he requires," he said.

The vessel in which Ghafoor arrived had nine crew members, a police official had ...