Maldives' former foreign minister Abdulla Shahid arrested in child abuse case
Abdulla Shahid, the former Maldives foreign minister and UN General Assembly president, has been arrested on suspicion of child abuse. Shahid has denied the allegations, characterizing them as politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation ahead of the 2028 elections.
Why it matters
The arrest of a high-profile political figure creates significant instability for the opposition party in the Maldives ahead of upcoming presidential elections.
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.
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