Abdulla Shahid, 64, was taken into custody in Malé at 21:59 on November 2, 2026. Police executed a court warrant, citing suspicion that the former foreign minister sexually abused a child under 18. The arrest marks a sudden rupture in the political landscape of the Indian Ocean nation.
Shahid rejected the charges immediately. In a post on X, he called the allegations "baseless lies" and accused critics of a coordinated character assassination. He urged the public to refrain from spreading unsubstantiated claims. The police have not disclosed the identity of the alleged victim or further specifics of the incident.
The timing is politically explosive. Shahid stepped down as president of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in August 2026 to contest the presidential primary. He was widely viewed as the strongest challenger to President Mohamed Muizzu in the 2028 polls. His detention now forces the opposition to reassess its strategy for the upcoming election cycle.
Shahid’s profile extends well beyond domestic politics. He served as foreign minister from 2018 to 2023 under President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He later presided over the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly during 2021-22. His international standing made his arrest a significant diplomatic and political event.
The investigation remains active. Police confirmed they are gathering evidence but have withheld further details from the public. The MDP has not yet announced a replacement candidate or a formal response to the crisis. The next critical development will hinge on the police report and any court filings in the coming days.