Ministers among four arrested for ‘black magic’ on Maldives president

As investigation continues, police refuse to release information on the reasons behind alleged black magic practices

A representative painting of a black magic ritual. — Unsplash/File

Two ministers are among four people arrested in connection with the alleged use of “black magic” against the President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, officials say.

According to Economic timesthe suspects are Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Energy, herex husband Adam Rameez, who is also a minister in the Office of the President, and two others.

The climate minister was remanded in custody for a week pending the conclusion of the investigation, officials said, without providing details about her arrest in connection with the mysterious case.

“There have been reports that Shamnaz has been arrested for using black magic against President Dr Mohamed Muizzu,” he said sunlocal media station.

It is worth noting that both Shamnaz and Rameez worked with Muizzu as members of the Male City Council when he served as the city’s mayor, Economic times reported.

Police have neither confirmed nor denied these reports and refused to provide information on the reasons behind the alleged practice of black magic.

Shamnaz holds an important position in a country that remains on the front line of the climate crisis, with UN environment experts warning that rising sea levels could make the Maldives virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century.

Witchcraft is not a crime under the penal code in the Muslim-majority country, but is punishable by six months in prison under Islamic law.

The inhabitants of the picturesque archipelago widely practice traditional ceremonies, believing that they can gain favor and curse their opponents.

Earlier in April 2023, a 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three neighbours in Manadhoo after she was accused of performing black magic rituals. Mihaaru the news outlet reported last week after a lengthy police investigation.

The article quoted police as saying that no evidence was found that the murder victim had practiced witchcraft.

In 2012, police cracked down on an opposition political rally after accusing organizers of throwing a “cursed rooster” at officers entering their offices.

With additional AFP insert.