The Safari Rape case, also known as the “Royal rape”, against Abdullah Shan has been thrown out of court, along with the MMPRC corruption case against youth minister Ahmed Mahloof.

Abdullah Shan is the spouse of member Jeehan Mahmood, of the Hinnavaru constituency. Member Jeehan Mahood is the niece of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. 

Abdullah Shan was charged for sexually assaulting, threatening and using physical violence against a Kenyan woman, on a safari in June of 2020. This case became widely known as the “Royal Rape” due to the way it was mishandled and corrupted as the perpetrator had powerful connections with higher authorities. 

According to the law of Maldives, sexual assault is punishable by 3 to 10 years of imprisonment. If the assault is done using dangerous weapons, it is punishable by 7 to 10 years. Threatening to impose harm or violence and physical assault are misdemeanors and are punishable by one month and six days of imprisonment. The maximum sentence for these misdemeanors is three months of imprisonment. 

The Safari Rape case charges against Abdullah Shan was dismissed by the Hulhumale magistrate court as it could not be carried on from the point of civil standards. The case was thrown out of court last week. 

While the rape case from 2021 was thrown out of the Hulhumale magistrate court, the corruption case against minister Mahloof was withdrawn from the criminal court as there was not enough evidence for the charges to be proven. However, the state had earlier testified in the high court claiming there was enough evidence to prove the claim.