Charges Filed Against PE Teacher Over Alleged Sexual Offences Against Students

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has filed criminal charges against a teacher accused of committing sexual offences against students at a school in Meemu Atoll.

The PGO said a case was submitted to the M. Kolhufushi Magistrate’s Court on 21 January 2026 seeking charges against Shuaib Abdulla, of M. Kolhufushi, Saadhaa. Shuaib was employed as a Health and Physical Education teacher at M. Atoll School at the time of the alleged offences.

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According to prosecutors, Shuaib faces five charges in connection with the case. Two charges relate to committing a sexual act against a minor while in a position of trust, under Article 9 of the Special Provisions Act on the Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse. Each of these offences carries a penalty of between 15 and 18 years’ imprisonment.

ދަރިވަރުންތަކަކަށް ޖިންސީ ގޯނާ ކުރިކަމަށް ތުހުމަތުކުރެވޭ ޓީޗަރެއްގެ މައްޗަށް ދަޢުވާކުރުން

އިތުރަށް ވިދާޅުވުމަށް: https://t.co/9bOMbNHDAr— Prosecutor General’s Office (@PGO_MV) January 25, 2026

He is also charged with two counts of causing a minor to witness a sexual act while in a position of trust, under Article 12 of the same Act, which also carries a sentence of between 15 and 18 years’ imprisonment for each count.

In addition, Shuaib has been charged with possession of obscene material in the Maldives, under Article 622 of the Penal Code. The basic sentence for this offence is one month and six days’ imprisonment.Prosecutors allege tha

t while teaching at M. Atoll School, Shuaib touched two students with sexual intent and showed them videos containing obscene content.

If convicted on all charges, he could face a combined prison sentence of up to 60 years, one month and six days.

The Prosecutor General’s Office stressed that the filing of charges does not mean the accused is guilty. Charges are submitted to court when prosecutors determine there is sufficient evidence, based on the investigation, to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

Article 51(a) of the Constitution states that every individual has the right to be presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in accordance with Shariah and the law.