Top opposition official detained, deported from India

PPM's Hulhumale constituency president Abdul Samad has been detained by the immigration authorities of the India after he was stopped inside an Indian hospital and deported, the party said Saturday.

Samad left for India on Friday with his wife and children for medical treatment. On Saturday, he was detained by Indian authorities.

Party spokesperson Heena Waleed told Atoll Times that Indian immigration officials started questioning Samad while he was inside Manipal Hospital in Bengaluru with his family.

"He was taken away because of a passport issue, they said, but we are not sure why exactly," she said.

"Samadbe was a member of the 'India Out' movement. It is believed that the detention was for the same reason."

Heena said she was not sure if Samad was taken to the airport for deportation or not.

"We don't know the exact reason for them taking him to the airport," she said.

Samad had shared a video on his Facebook page. In the video, he can be heard saying that he was standing next to his children and women in the hospital and the immigration came to check on him.

"My children and wife were left alone there and I am now being taken to the airport. I don't know what my fault is. I believe they are going ahead with my deportation," he said.

In the one-minute video shared by Samad, who leads the opposition's 'India Out' activities, he said, "Is this what Maldivians deserve?"

When contacted, foreign ministry's Communications Director Saffath Ahmed Zahir said he would look into the matter and respond.