Ex-Maldives Foreign Minister Arrested Over Child Sexual Abuse Allegations
Former Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has been arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor. Shahid, a prominent opposition leader, has denied the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
Why it matters
The arrest of a high-profile political figure in the Maldives highlights significant internal political tensions and potential instability in the Indian Ocean nation.
Maldivian opposition leader and former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child, police said Tuesday.The 64-year-old was arrested at his home in the capital on Monday night, as he campaigned for his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) presidential primary ahead of the 2028 election.Shahid also served as president of the United Nations General Assembly for a year, until September 2022."On suspicion of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18, Abdulla Shahid was arrested under a court warrant on the night of November 2," police said in a statement.Shortly…
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