The High Court has cancelled today’s scheduled hearing to begin proceedings on an appeal challenging the arrest warrant issued against former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, who stands accused of sexually abusing a minor.
According to the court schedule published by the High Court, which withheld Shahid’s full name, the appeal hearing was set to commence at 1:00 pm today. However, the session has since been called off. Responding to an inquiry from MV+, a High Court media officer confirmed that the hearing was cancelled due to administrative reasons.
Shahid, 64, a veteran diplomat, former Speaker of the People’s Majlis, and former President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly, was taken into custody earlier this month under a court warrant from his residence at the Rainbow Ocean Front apartment complex in Hulhumalé.
Investigating officers searched the premises before escorting him to the Hulhumalé Police Station, after which he was transferred to the Dhoonidhoo Custodial Centre.
Upon being presented before the Criminal Court for a remand hearing, Shahid was ordered to be held in police custody for 30 days to facilitate the investigation into allegations that he sexually abused an individual under the age of 18 while in a position of trust.
Shahid has strongly denied the accusations, describing them on social media shortly before his arrest as baseless fabrications intended to damage his character and derail his political trajectory. Following his remand, his legal team filed an appeal with the High Court on 5 November challenging the legality of the lower court’s arrest and detention warrant, with the case formally registered on 9 November.
Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference at the President’s Office, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu addressed public questions surrounding the high-profile detention of the opposition leader, rejecting claims of politically motivated retribution ahead of the upcoming electoral race.
“I will not penalise anyone for political purposes,” President Muizzu said. “That is something I have brought to an end in this country. Political retribution has been brought to a close. Therefore, I will not do that.”
The President added that statutory safeguards and standard judicial proceedings must apply equally to all citizens regardless of their political standing. “In such a serious case involving a child, there should be no discrimination regarding the accused,” he said. “The government must allow legal procedures to be enforced equally and impartially. Therefore, this government will not obstruct the actions taken to follow through on that matter.”
