President: Shahid faces serious allegations; due process must be followed

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says that the allegations against former Maldivian foreign minister Abdulla Shahid were “extremely serious” in nature, and that due process must be followed in all such cases, regardless of who the accused may be.

Shahid, 64, was arrested from his apartment in Hulhumale’ at 09:59 pm on November 2. According to police, he is being investigated on allegations of sexually assaulting someone under the age of 18.

Shahid, the former president of the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), had his remand extended by 30 days on November 3, and is being held at the custodial jail in Dhoonidhoo Island.

At a press conference on Monday, President Muizzu was pressed for guarantees that influential figures will not evade justice.

Responding to the question, President Muizzu noted that his administration also faces allegations over Shahid’s arrest – referring to claims that Shahid may have been framed.

He said that he wishes to address the allegations.

“I want to also address the allegations by the opposition. This administration has not and will not arrest political figures. I have never done so, and nor will I ever,” he said.

President Muizzu said that Shahid’s arrest isn’t a case of political persecution, but was based on serious allegations linked to a child.

“Therefore, regardless of who the offender is in this, there should be no discrimination in the application of law. The government must allow for due process to be followed for the suspect when enforcing the law. The state must follow due process,” he said.

Rumors of the allegations of sexual abuse against Shahid and his impending arrest broke out on social media platforms shortly ahead of his arrest.

In a post on X mere minutes ahead of his arrest, Shahid rejected the allegations as politically-motivated baseless lies aimed at assassinating his character.

“The politically-motivated rumors being spread to assassinate my character are baseless lies. I urge everyone against spreading such unfounded allegations,” he wrote, half-an-hour ahead of his arrest.

Abdulla Shahid is among the country’s most prominent politicians, serving as a diplomat, government official and legislator for over four decades. His arrest comes as he campaigns for the MDP ticket to contest the 2028 presidential elections and enter the highest executive office in the country.

The Maldives has seen a rise in reported cases of sexual violence in recent years. The police investigated 272 cases of sexual assault last year, and have received reports of 243 such cases so far this year.

Those with information regarding crimes against children are urged to call the Maldives Police Service’s Family and Child Protection Department at 3000600 or the helpline 1412.