Former Foreign Minister and former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) President Abdullah Shahid has been transferred to the police custodial facility in Dhoonidhoo following his arrest over allegations of sexually abusing a minor.
Shahid, 64, was arrested in Hulhumalé at 9:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2, under a court order, according to the Maldives Police Service. Police said he was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child under the age of 18.
Following his arrest, Shahid was initially taken to the Hulhumalé Police Station before being transferred by launch to Dhoonidhoo, where he is currently being held in police custody.
According to local media reports, Shahid is expected to be brought before the Criminal Court on Tuesday for a remand hearing.
Information received indicates that the case involves the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl who is reportedly related to Shahid. The girl is said to have reported the alleged abuse herself. However, police have not publicly confirmed these details.
News of Shahid’s arrest emerged after police entered his residence in Hulhumalé. Shortly before his arrest, Shahid addressed the allegations in a post on X, describing the claims as politically motivated and completely false.
“Stories being spread politically to assassinate my character are entirely baseless lies. I urge everyone not to spread such unsubstantiated claims,” he wrote.
Police confirmed the arrest at 10:09 p.m., approximately 30 minutes after Shahid published his post.
The arrest marks an unprecedented development involving a former senior government official, although the allegations remain under investigation. Police have yet to release further details about the case.
