Police in the Maldives have arrested two government ministers and two other suspects for allegedly performing “black magic” on President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The ministers involved are Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy, and her ex-husband Adam Rameez, a minister in the President’s Office. The other two suspects’ identities have not been disclosed.
Shamnaz and Rameez have a history of working closely with President Muizzu, having served as members of the Male City Council when he was the city’s mayor. The arrests have drawn significant attention, especially since Shamnaz holds an important position in a country facing severe impacts from climate change.
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The police have placed Shamnaz in custody for a week as they continue their investigations. However, they have been tight-lipped about the specifics of the case, neither confirming nor denying the allegations and refusing to comment on the reasons behind the supposed black magic.
In the Maldives, sorcery is not considered a criminal offense under the penal code. However, it is subject to a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law. This aspect of the case has added to the complexity and intrigue surrounding the arrests.
