The final individual from a group of 60 Tamils who fled Sri Lanka by boat to escape military persecution has been transferred from Diego Garcia to the Maldives.
The group, which fled Sri Lanka five years ago in 2021, was rescued by a British naval vessel after being stranded at sea and was subsequently taken to Diego Garcia.
Upon arrival at Diego Garcia, the group sought asylum. The British government eventually agreed to relocate all members of the group to the United Kingdom, with the exception of a 34-year-old man identified as KP, who has now been brought to the Maldives.
The UK refused to accept KP alongside the others due to prior convictions involving arson and sexual offenses.
According to a report by The Telegraph, KP was transferred to the Maldives last March under an agreement with the British government. All his expenses are to be covered by the UK.
The process of evacuating KP from Diego Garcia was initiated following reports that Iran might target the island with strikes in connection with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The British government has also instructed a significant number of personnel stationed on the island to evacuate.
Media reports indicate that KP was brought to the Maldives after the Maldivian government provided assurances that he would not be deported back to Sri Lanka.
