Former Maldives foreign affairs minister Abdulla Shahid, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a minor, the Maldives Police said on Monday.
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Police → arrest → 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.
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who → emerge → elections
He was taken into custody in Malé at around 9.59pm local time on Monday under a court warrant.
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He → take → warrant
Shahid has rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
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Shahid → reject → them
The arrest comes at a crucial time for the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which is preparing for the next presidential election.
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which → come → election
Shahid was considered one of the prominent contenders for the party's presidential nomination.
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Shahid → consider → 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.
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Shahid → confirm → 21:59
The police are currently conducting further investigations into this case," the police said.
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police → conduct → case
The police have not disclosed further details about the allegations.
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police → disclose → allegations
They said investigations into the case are continuing.
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investigations → say → case
Shahid rejects allegations
Following his arrest, Shahid denied the allegations and accused those circulating the claims of attempting to damage his reputation.
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Shahid → reject → reputation
In a post on X, he said: "The stories being politically circulated to assassinate my character are completely baseless lies.
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stories → say → character
I urge everyone to refrain from spreading such unsubstantiated claims,"
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I → urge → claims
The former minister has not publicly provided further details about the allegations or the circumstances leading to his arrest.
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minister → provide → arrest
The police have also not shared additional information about the case.
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police → share → case
Who is Abdulla Shahid, Muizzu's potential challenger
Shahid is among the Maldives' most prominent political figures and has held several senior positions in the country's government and political establishment.
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Shahid → hold → government
He served as the Maldives' foreign affairs minister between 2018 and 2023 under former president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
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He → serve → Solih
During this period, he also became one of the country's most recognisable faces in international diplomacy.
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he → become → diplomacy
His most prominent international role came when he presided over the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during 2021-22.
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he → come → 2021
He was also the Speaker of the People's Majlis, the Maldives' parliament, and headed the opposition MDP from February 2024 until August 2026.
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He → head → August
Shahid stepped down as MDP president in August 2026 to contest the party's presidential primary.
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Shahid → step → primary
He was subsequently seen as a prominent potential candidate for the party's nomination ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
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He → see → election
The arrest could therefore have significant political implications for the opposition party as it prepares to challenge President Mohamed Muizzu.
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it → have → Muizzu
Solih lost the 2023 presidential election to Muizzu, who contested as the candidate of the People's National Congress (PNC).
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who → lose → Congress
With the next presidential election scheduled for 2028, the opposition has been preparing to regain power.
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opposition → schedule → power
Shahid's international profile and experience in government had placed him among the prominent names being considered for the party's presidential nomination.
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profile → place → nomination
However, the criminal allegations and his arrest could complicate his political prospects.
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allegations → complicate → prospects
The investigation is still underway, and the allegations against him have not been established.
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allegations → establish → him
The Aporia
