Maldives Police took 64-year-old Abdulla Shahid into custody under a court warrant in Malé on Monday night regarding accusations of sexually abusing a minor under the age of 18. Authorities noted that investigations remain ongoing without disclosing further specifics about the case. Shahid dismissed the claims on social media as baseless and politically motivated character assassination. The legal turmoil comes shortly after he stepped down from leading the Maldivian Democratic Party to pursue its presidential primary.
Key points
The ongoing investigation severely impacts the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party as i…: The ongoing investigation severely impacts the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party as it organizes for the upcoming 2028 presidential election.
Abdulla Shahid had recently vacated his role as party leader in August 2026 to contest th…: Abdulla Shahid had recently vacated his role as party leader in August 2026 to contest the MDP's presidential primary.
The veteran politician was broadly seen as a primary challenger to current President Moha…: The veteran politician was broadly seen as a primary challenger to current President Mohamed Muizzu following Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's defeat in 2023.
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Former Maldives foreign affairs minister Abdulla Shahid, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor, the Maldives Police said on Monday. Notably, the 64-year-old former president of the United Nations General Assembly who was emerging as a potential presidential challenger to incumbent Mohamed Muizzu in the 2028 elections.
He was taken into custody in Malé at around 9.59pm local time on Monday under a court warrant. Shahid has rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
The arrest comes at a crucial time for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is preparing for the next presidential election. Shahid was considered one of the prominent contenders for the party's presidential nomination.
The Maldives Police confirmed the arrest in a statement posted on X.
"On suspicion of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18, Abdulla Shahid (64 yrs), H. Rabee’ee Manzil, Malé, was arrested under a court warrant on the night of 2 November 2026, at around 21:59. The police are currently conducting further investigations into this case," the police said.
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