Draft:2024 Maldives Witchcraft Incident

On 23 June 2024, three individuals including Minister of State Fathimath Shamnaz Ali Saleem, were arrested on charges of performing witchcraft on Maldivian president Mohamed Muizzu.[1][2][3] They have been remanded in jail for a week by the Hulhumale Magistrate Court, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shifan stated that an investigation is underway.[4]

Background

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Shamnaz served on the Male City Council during the Mayorship of Muizzu, but following his election as President, she resigned from the Council and was appointed as a State Minister at Muliaage, the official residence of the President, after which she was appointed to the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Energy.[5]

Arrest

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The Police had searched her home and seized some items before the arrest. The two other arrested suspects are her sibling and the alleged sorcerer.[6]

Shamnaz, and her former husband Adam Rameez, a Minster at the President's Office were suspended following the incident.[7] She was relieved of her position on the 26th of June 2024.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "State Minister Shamnaz arrested on charges of sorcery". The Edition. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  2. ^ Krasteva, Gergana (2024-06-27). "Top minister arrested over 'performing black magic spell'". Metro. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  3. ^ "Minister arrested for performing 'black magic' on Maldives president". South China Morning Post. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  4. ^ "Maldives minister arrested for performing 'black magic' on President Muizzu: Report". Hindustan Times. 28 June 2024.
  5. ^ "Who is Maldives minister who got suspended for 'black magic' on President Muizzu?". The Economic Times. 2024-06-28. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  6. ^ "Maldivian minister tries black magic on President Muizzu, arrested". Business Today. 2024-06-27. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  7. ^ "Minister Rameez and State Minister Shamnaz suspended". The Edition. Retrieved 2024-06-29.
  8. ^ raajje.mv. "State Minister Shamnaz sacked, Rameez suspended as PO minister". raajje.mv. Retrieved 2024-06-29.