Tuesday
3rd Nov 2026
Dhivehi Edition
Ex Minister Shahid
Child Abuse Case: Former UN General Assembly President Abdulla Shahid Remanded for 30 Days
Abdulla Shahid، Photo: Maldives Police Service
The Criminal Court has remanded former United Nations General Assembly President and Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid in custody for 30 days following his arrest over allegations of sexually abusing a minor.
A credible source confirmed to The Maldives Journal that the court issued the order during an online remand hearing on 3 November. Shahid is being held at the Dhoonidhoo Custodial Facility.
Police previously confirmed that Shahid, 64, was arrested at 9:59 p.m. on 2 November. The allegations concern sexual abuse of a child while occupying a position of trust.
The Maldives Police Service has not disclosed further details of the ongoing investigation.
Shahid served as President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly from 2021 to 2022. He also served as the Maldives’ foreign minister from 2018 to 2023 and Speaker of the People’s Majlis from 2009 to 2014.
He announced his candidacy for the Maldivian Democratic Party’s presidential primary ahead of the 2028 election in August 2026.