Former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid Arrested for Child Abuse

MALE: Abdulla Shahid, the former foreign minister of the Maldives and a prominent opposition leader, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18, police confirmed on Tuesday. The 64-year-old was taken into custody at his residence in the capital on the night of November 2, as he campaigned for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary ahead of the 2028 elections.

According to a police statement, Shahid’s arrest was executed under a court warrant. He has previously served as the president of the United Nations General Assembly until September 2022. Shortly before his arrest, Shahid publicly dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attempts to tarnish his reputation. “The stories being circulated in a political manner to assassinate my character are completely baseless lies,” he stated on social media platform X, urging the public not to propagate such claims.

This arrest raises significant concerns regarding the political landscape in the Maldives, a nation known for its luxury tourism industry and vibrant democratic processes. As a key figure in the opposition, Shahid’s legal troubles could influence the dynamics of the upcoming presidential elections, potentially swaying public opinion and party support.

As investigations proceed, the MDP primaries are set to continue, with Shahid’s future in the party and his political career hanging in the balance. The next presidential election is scheduled for September 2028, and the implications of this case may reverberate throughout the political arena in the Maldives.