Male, November 3: Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has been arrested over allegations of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18. Police took him into custody on Monday night under a court warrant.
According to the police, Shahid was arrested at around 9:59 pm on November 2. Authorities have not yet disclosed detailed information about the alleged incident. The investigation is currently underway.
Before his arrest, Shahid responded to the allegations in a social media post. He rejected the claims, describing them as politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation. He also urged people not to circulate allegations without evidence.
The 64-year-old served as the Maldives' foreign minister from 2018 to 2023. He had earlier served as Speaker of the People's Majlis. In 2021, he was elected President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Shahid is a prominent leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP). He had also been preparing to seek the party's nomination for the 2028 presidential election. In August 2026, he stepped down as party president to contest the party's primary.
The allegations against Shahid have not been proven in court. Further details are expected to emerge as the police investigation progresses.
