Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has appealed the arrest warrant issued in connection with allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.
Shahid was arrested on the night of 2 November at his residence in Hulhumalé and remanded by the Criminal Court for 30 days. Police said the investigation concerns allegations involving a child under the age of 18. He has strongly denied the claims, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.
His son, Yameen Shahid, has also said his father would never commit the acts he is accused of and has called for due process. The High Court appeal challenges the legal basis of the warrant and the subsequent remand.
A 30-day remand is the maximum single detention period ordinarily permitted during the investigative stage short of detention until the end of a trial. The length of the remand does not constitute a finding of guilt.
The case has attracted wide attention because of Shahid’s former roles as foreign minister, parliament speaker and president of the United Nations General Assembly. Police have confirmed an investigation is under way but have released few additional details.
