Shahid kicked out from MDP National Council WhatsApp group

Former Foreign Minister and former Parliament Speaker Abdulla Shahid has been removed from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council WhatsApp group while he remains in custody over allegations of child sexual abuse.

Sun has learned that Shahid was removed from the group earlier on Sunday. An MDP official stated that the decision was in line with the party’s standard procedure when a member is arrested on suspicion of a criminal offence.

The Maldives Police Service confirmed in a statement last Monday that Shahid had been arrested under a court order over the alleged sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 18. He was transferred to Dhoonidhoo Custodial Prison that night, and the court subsequently ordered his remand for 30 days. Shahid’s legal team has appealed the remand order at the High Court.

Shortly before his arrest, Shahid posted on X, claiming that the allegations were politically motivated character assassination and entirely baseless. He urged the public not to spread such unsubstantiated claims.

Abdulla Shahid is a prominent political figure in the Maldives, with a career spanning more than 40 years in foreign policy, legislative governance and international leadership. His arrest comes at a significant time, as he had been actively campaigning for the MDP’s presidential ticket.