A court in the Maldives ordered a former vice president to be detained for 15 days, after he was returned home following his failed attempt to enter India.

Police say Ahmed Adeeb fled the Maldives by boat last week despite a travel ban to avoid being questioned over the alleged embezzlement of state funds. He arrived in southern India's Tuticorin port on Thursday, seeking asylum there, but Indian authorities did not allow him to enter because he lacked valid documents and was not entering through a designated entry point.

Maldives police brought him to Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago, in a naval ship early Sunday. But a court late Sunday night ordered his release, saying authorities had not followed proper legal procedures in arresting him in international waters.

Police obtained another arrest warrant early Monday and arrested Adeeb and took him to Dhoonidhoo detention center. He was produced in criminal court late Monday and ordered detained for 15 days.

An international legal team appearing for Adeeb said Friday that he had sought the protection of India and had initiated the process of claiming asylum.