Tuticorin Port Authority say they have detained the former vice-president of Maldives, Ahmed Adeeb: ANI | Photo from ANI

Former vice-president of Maldives Ahmed Adeeb was detained by Indian agencies in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu on Thursday.

Ahmed Adeeb was detained by Indian agencies for illegally entering India.

According to a Maldives Independent report, Ahmed Adeeb was trying to illegally enter 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 wrote on Twitter.

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.' pic.twitter.com/9W4QDahnnR ANI (@ANI) August 1, 2019

A Chennai journalist wrote on Twitter, "Former Maldivian vice-president Ahmed Adeeb, who was released from jail after Ibrahim Mohamed Solih came to power, appears to have attempted to pass off as a crew member of a barge. He was arrested in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu today."

Former #Maldivian Vice President, @Ahmed_Adeeb who was released from jail after @ibusolih came to power, appears to have attempted to pass off as a crew member of a barge. He was arrested in Tuticorin, #Tamilnadu today pic.twitter.com/cIxHleigKc RadhakrishnanRK (@RKRadhakrishn) August 1, 2019

In response to a query on former vice-president of Maldives not permitted entry into India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) 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."