High Court takes up Abdulla Shahid’s appeal in child sex abuse case

The High Court has taken up the appeal in the case where former President of the People’s Majlis and former President of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Abdulla Shahid, was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a child. Shahid, who also served as Foreign Minister during the tenure of the President of the UN General Assembly and the MDP’s rule, was arrested late last Monday night after an allegation surfaced that he had been involved with a child. He was ordered to be detained for 30 days when brought before the court to decide on his detention. The petition filed by Shahid’s side at the High Court last Wednesday to appeal against that order has now been accepted and registered. In that case, it is noted that prior to his arrest, Shahid posted on X stating that stories circulating politically alleging his involvement were baseless lies. While facing allegations of sexually abusing a child, he is currently campaigning to secure the MDP ticket for the 2028 presidential election.