Maldives minister arrested over alleged 'black magic' on President Muizzu
- In Reports
- 01:52 PM, Jun 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Police in the Maldives have arrested Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy, along with two others in the capital Male. The arrest took place on Sunday, and she has been remanded in custody for a week pending investigations, according to police statements.
Authorities have not disclosed specific reasons for Saleem's arrest. However, media reports in the Indian Ocean nation suggest allegations related to performing "black magic" on the president. The nature of these allegations has not been officially confirmed by police or government sources.
Local media outlet The Sun reported that there are allegations suggesting Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy in the Maldives, was arrested for allegedly performing black magic on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The accusation has stirred controversy and speculation within the Indian Ocean nation.
Police in the Maldives have neither confirmed nor denied reports surrounding the arrest of Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, the State Minister for Environment, Climate Change, and Energy. Her arrest, allegedly linked to accusations of performing black magic on President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has sparked considerable controversy and speculation within the Indian Ocean nation.
Shamnaz's role is pivotal in a country facing the forefront of the climate crisis, with experts from the United Nations warning that rising sea levels could render the Maldives virtually uninhabitable by the end of the century.
Although sorcery is not classified as a criminal offence under the penal code of the Muslim-majority Maldives, it does carry a six-month jail sentence under Islamic law. Despite this legal stance, traditional ceremonies involving sorcery remain widely practiced across the archipelago, where they are believed to influence fortunes and adversities alike.
Recent incidents highlight the sensitivity surrounding such practices. In April 2023, Mihaaru news reported that a 62-year-old woman in Manadhoo was fatally stabbed by three neighbours, following accusations that she had conducted black magic ceremonies. This tragic event occurred after a prolonged police investigation into the matter.
The Sun quoted police as stating that they had been unable to uncover any evidence linking the murder victim to sorcery, despite the allegations made against her. This revelation underscores the complex and often contentious nature of accusations involving traditional practices like sorcery in the Maldives.
In a separate incident in 2012, authorities cracked down on an opposition political rally, alleging that organisers had hurled a "cursed rooster" at police officers during a raid on their offices. This incident reflects the intersection of political tensions and cultural beliefs within the island nation, where such acts can carry significant symbolic weight and legal implications.
Image source: India Today
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