Maldives police spokesman Ahmed Shifan also confirmed the arrest of Minister Shamnaz along with two others on Tuesday. Earlier, the police raided Shamnaz’s house and seized several items, which sources say may have been used to practice black magic.
A major development has been witnessed in Maldives. The reason is that the police have arrested a minister of the country’s government on charges of allegedly doing black magic on President Mohammed Muizzu. According to local media, the police have arrested two other people along with Fatima Shamnaz, Minister of State for the Ministry of Environment, on charges of doing black magic to get close to Muizzu.
The police said in a statement that after arresting the three, they were produced in court, from where the court has sent everyone to police custody for seven days. According to the local newspaper, Minister Shamnaz’s brother and another accused were arrested. Shamnaz is the former wife of Adam Rameez, Minister of the President’s Office. Before Shamnaz’s arrest, the police searched her house. The police have also seized some items from the house.
Things related to black magic seized from Minister Shamnaz’s house
Police spokesman Ahmed Shifan also confirmed the arrest of minister Shamnaz along with two others on Tuesday. Earlier, police raided Shamnaz’s house and seized several items that sources say may have been used to practice black magic.
The accused minister has worked with Muizzu in several positions
Before being transferred to the Ministry of Environment in April, Shamnaz worked as a Minister of State in the Presidential Palace for Muizzu, who was elected in September last year. Prior to this, she had worked with Muizzu in the Male City Council and served as a city councilor when Muizzu was the mayor.
Such a case has come up in Maldives before
Black magic, known locally as Fundita or Sihuru, is a widespread belief in the Maldives despite being considered a serious crime under Islamic law. In May, police arrested a 60-year-old man for allegedly practicing black magic on a ruling party member contesting the parliamentary elections. In December 2015, the Islamic Ministry issued a public statement warning that black magic was becoming very common in society and one should stay away from such practices.
