Maldives minister arrested for performing 'black magic' on President Muizzu

MALE: A Maldives minister has been arrested from here for allegedly using 'black magic' against the President of the Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu. The arrested Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem is the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Energy. The report states that two others have been arrested along with the minister and the minister has been remanded in custody.

The arrested Shamnaz is a mother of three children, including an infant. Officers raided Shamnaz's house and recovered items believed to be used for sorcery. Local media reports also indicate that the two men arrested along with Shamnas are her siblings. But there is no confirmation in this regard.

Although black magic is not a crime in the Maldives, it is punishable by six months in prison under Islamic law. Sorcery is widely practised in the Maldives to win favours and curse opponents.

In April 2023, a 62-year-old woman was murdered in Manadhoo by three neighbours accusing her of sorcery. The police investigated the matter but could not find any evidence against the accused.