Maldivian ministers arrested for allegedly using black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu

Maldives police have arrested two serving ministers, Shamnaz Saleem and her ex-husband Adam Rameez, for allegedly performing black magic on President Mohamed Muizzu, local media reported on Thursday. 

Shamnaz Saleem was a state minister at the Environment Ministry, and Adam Rameez was a minister at the President’s Office. Both have previously worked with President Muizzu. They worked as members of the Male City Council when the President was serving as the city’s mayor.

According to reports, the arrests also included two other individuals. The police have not disclosed details regarding the reasons or the alleged performance of black magic. The incident came to light on June 23, following which the four accused were remanded in custody for seven days.

After Muizzu assumed office as President in November last year, Shamnaz was appointed as a state minister first at Muliaage, the official residence of the president. However, she was later transferred to the Environment Ministry. Rameez, known as a close aide of Muizzu during his tenure at Male City Council, has been absent from the public eye for the past five months.

On Wednesday, Shamnaz was suspended from her position as state minister at the Environment Ministry. 

Despite the arrests, neither the Maldives government nor the President’s office have made any official statements on the case yet.