Two ministers were among four people arrested for allegedly performing “black magic” against Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, officials said.
according to Economic timesThe suspects include Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, state minister for environment, climate change and energy, her ex-husband Adam Rameez, who is also a minister in the President's Office, and two others.
The climate minister remained in custody for a week pending investigations, officials said, without giving details about her arrest over the mysterious matter.
“There have been reports that Shamnaz was arrested for performing black magic on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu,” he said. Suna local media outlet.
It is noteworthy that both Shamnaz and Rameez were known to have worked with Muizzu as members of the Male Municipal Council when he served as the city's mayor. The economic times reported.
Police neither confirmed nor denied the report and refused to share information about the motives behind the alleged performance of black magic.
Shamnaz occupies an important position in a nation that remains on the front line of the climate crisis, with UN environmental experts warning that rising sea levels could make the Maldives virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century.
Witchcraft is not a criminal offence under the Muslim-majority country's penal code, but carries a six-month prison sentence under Islamic law.
People throughout the picturesque archipelago widely practice traditional ceremonies, believing they can gain favor and curse their opponents.
Previously, a 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three locals in Manadhoo in April 2023 after she was accused of performing black magic rituals, Mihaaru The news site reported last week, after a lengthy police investigation.
He quoted police as saying they had found no evidence that the murder victim performed witchcraft.
In 2012, police cracked down on an opposition political rally after accusing organizers of throwing a “cursed rooster” at officers raiding their offices.
With additional contributions from AFP.
