The Maldivian police arrested a state minister for environment, climate change, and energy, Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, on Thursday, June 27th. She was accused of performing “black magic” on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. Along with Shamnaz, two others were also detained for allegedly assisting her.
Local reports indicate that Shamnaz has been held in detention for a week pending investigations. The specifics of her arrest have not been disclosed, however, the Sun, a local media outlet, reported that Shamnaz was apprehended for performing black magic on President Muizzu.
Shamnaz holds a crucial position in the Maldives, a nation facing significant threats from climate change. UN environmental experts have warned that rising sea levels could make the Maldives uninhabitable by the end of the century.
Reports mention that sorcery is not a criminal violation under the Maldives’ penal code. However, it can lead to a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law. Traditional rites are widely practiced across the archipelago, with many believing that such practices can bring good fortune or harm to others.
In a previous incident, a 62-year-old woman was stabbed to death by three neighbors on Manadhoo in April 2023. She had been accused of practicing black magic, leading to a prolonged police investigation.
Shamnaz is married to Adam Rameez, a minister in the President’s Office who has also been suspended. Shamnaz had earlier served on the Male City Council alongside President Muizzu when he was the city’s mayor.
After Muizzu’s election last year, Shamnaz stepped down from the council and was appointed as a state minister at Muliaage, the president’s official residence. She was later reassigned to the Environment Ministry. The administration has yet to make an official statement regarding Shamnaz’s arrest.
Comments