Abdulla Shahid arrest: Maldives police investigate abuse allegations

The Abdulla Shahid arrest in Malé on Monday night followed allegations that the former Maldives foreign minister sexually abused a child, police said. Shahid has denied the accusations, and investigators have not announced further details of the case.

Police said the 64-year-old was detained under a court warrant at about 10 p.m. local time on November 2. Reports said he was arrested at his home in the capital.

The allegations remain unproven. Shahid has described the claims as false and politically driven, accusing those circulating them of seeking to harm his reputation. Police said their investigation was continuing.

Former minister was pursuing presidential nomination

The Abdulla Shahid arrest comes while he is seeking the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's presidential nomination ahead of the country's 2028 election. He is among the prominent figures aspiring to challenge President Mohamed Muizzu.

Shahid left the MDP presidency in August 2026 to pursue the party primary. He had held that party position since February 2024, according to the reports.

His government experience includes serving as foreign minister from 2018 to 2023 during Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's presidency. He also previously served as Speaker of the People's Majlis, the Maldives' parliament.

On the international stage, Shahid presided over the United Nations General Assembly's 76th session during 2021-22. That role forms part of the diplomatic background he brings to his bid for the opposition nomination.

The MDP governed under Solih between 2018 and 2023. Solih then lost the presidential election to Muizzu, who contested for the People's National Congress.

Authorities have not publicly provided additional information about the alleged offence. Shahid's rejection of the allegations and the police investigation remain the stated positions in the case; the accusations have not been established.

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