Abdulla Shahid arrested over alleged sexual abuse of a minor

Former Maldivian Foreign Minister and opposition leader Abdulla Shahid has been arrested in Male under a court order. The Maldives Police Service confirmed the arrest, stating that Shahid is being investigated regarding allegations of repeatedly sexually abusing a minor under the age of 18.

Shahid, who served as the President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly from 2021 to 2022, is a prominent figure in Maldivian politics. He currently leads the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), the country’s main opposition party.

Prior to his arrest, Shahid denied the allegations on social media, describing them as baseless and politically motivated attempts to damage his character. While opposition lawmakers and supporters have characterized the arrest as political targeting, authorities maintain that the action was executed following formal complaints and a judicial warrant. The investigation is ongoing, and Shahid has not been convicted of any offense.