Maldives' former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid arrested in child abuse case

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. The police have not disclosed further details about the allegations. They said investigations into the case are continuing.

Following his arrest, Shahid denied the allegations and accused those circulating the claims of attempting to damage his reputation. In a post on X, he said: "The stories being politically circulated to assassinate my character are completely baseless lies. I urge everyone to refrain from spreading such unsubstantiated claims," The former minister has not publicly provided further details about the allegations or the circumstances leading to his arrest. The police have also not shared additional information about the case.

Shahid is among the Maldives' most prominent political figures and has held several senior positions in the country's government and political establishment. He served as the Maldives' foreign affairs minister between 2018 and 2023 under former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. During this period, he also became one of the country's most recognisable faces in international diplomacy. His most prominent international role came when he presided over the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during 2021-22. He was also the Speaker of the People's Majlis, the Maldives' parliament, and headed the opposition MDP from February 2024 until August 2026. Shahid stepped down as MDP president in August 2026 to contest the party's presidential primary. He was subsequently seen as a prominent potential candidate for the party's nomination ahead of the 2028 presidential election. The arrest could therefore have significant political implications for the opposition party as it prepares to challenge President Mohamed Muizzu.

The MDP is one of the Maldives' principal political parties and was in power under former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih from 2018 to 2023. Solih lost the 2023 presidential election to Muizzu, who contested as the candidate of the People's National Congress (PNC). With the next presidential election scheduled for 2028, the opposition has been preparing to regain power. Shahid's international profile and experience in government had placed him among the prominent names being considered for the party's presidential nomination. However, the criminal allegations and his arrest could complicate his political prospects. The investigation is still underway, and the allegations against him have not been established.