
Political purpose claims ahead of election of opposition presidential candidate
AI-generated summary
Abdullah Shahid served as Chairman of the United Nations General Assembly for one year from September 2022, and is mentioned as a strong candidate for the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) in the 2028 Maldives presidential election. After taking office in November 2023, President Mu Lee-ju is pursuing a policy of not relying on India and strengthening cooperation with China and Pakistan.
Former Foreign Minister Shahid "For political purposes ahead of the election of the opposition presidential candidate"
(Jakarta = Yonhap News) Correspondent Son Hyun-gyu = Former Maldives Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid (64), who served as president of the United Nations General Assembly, was arrested by local police on charges of child sexual abuse.
According to AFP and Indian media The Hindu on the 4th (local time), Maldivian police recently arrested former Minister Shahid on charges of child sexual abuse.
Former Minister Shahid served as Chairman of the United Nations General Assembly for one year from September 2022, and is considered a strong candidate for the main opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) in the next presidential election to be held in 2028.
He was arrested at his home in the capital Male on the night of the 2nd of this month ahead of the primary election to select the pro-India MDP's presidential candidate.
Maldives police said in a statement, "Former Minister Shahid was arrested on a court warrant on charges of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 18."
However, former minister Shahid claimed that the charges were fabricated to defame him ahead of the MDP's primaries and future presidential elections.
He wrote on social media
In a recent media interview, former Minister Shahid criticized President Mohammed Muijou's visit to Pakistan and pointed out that he is leading the country in an 'anti-India' direction.
Last month, President Muijou visited Pakistan for the first time in 11 years as the Maldivian president and had a summit meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and decided to increase the volume of trade between the two countries by 15 times to $200 million (about 270 billion won) within the next two years.
Since President Muiju took office in November 2023, he has been strengthening cooperation with China and Pakistan while pursuing a policy of not relying on India, a traditional ally.
The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, is a small country with a population of 530,000, but it is located along a major global trade route, making it a place where India and China are competing to expand their influence.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
A legal investigation and trial will be conducted against former Minister Shahid.
Very likely · Within weeks
There will be changes to MDP's presidential primary election schedule and Shahid's qualifications.
Likely · Within weeks

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