The World - News from Aug. 13, 1989
The high court in the Maldives sentenced a Sri Lanka-based Maldivian businessman to death for leading a failed coup in the Indian Ocean archipelago, the Maldivian government announced. Seventy-five people, including 68 Sri Lankan Tamil mercenaries, were convicted of participating in the Nov. 3, 1988 coup attempt. Sixteen people--four Maldivians and 12 Sri Lankans--were given death sentences. The others received prison terms ranging from nine to 38 years. The court found businessman Abdullah Luthufi guilty of organizing the attempt to overthrow President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The attempt was crushed by Indian paratroopers after Gayoom requested help.
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